05/05/2015 – Manila | South China Sea has been the center of attention not only by surrounding Asian countries, but also by US and European Union.
In a separate news published last week, both US and Japan Military is seeking permission to use the Philippines’ military bases near of facing the disputed Spratly Islands. China has been steadily building infrastructure and airstrip according to the satellite images acquired by both NASA and other space organizations.
The Philippines is a major American ally in South East Asia and any attack in Manila could wage a bigger war according to US Ret Gen. K. Marshall.
The US Military is planning to use at least eight (8) Philippine military bases including the former Subic Naval Base, Clark Air Base, and two others in Palawan. The plan is part of the Asia pivot that would provide the US Military ease and convenience to patrol the area and for faster logistic maneuvers.
Japan, on the other hand also seeks the country’s approval to use some of its. The purpose is to provide American Military logistical support.
The biggest US military installations are found in the Island of Okinawa, in the East China Sea. Providing bases for Japanese forces in the Philippines will be a great help to both US and Japanese military patrolling the contested area according to Japan Navy.
In separate but related news, Vietnam buys new high-powered missiles that can be launched from its submarines.
Carl Thayer, an expert on Vietnam’s military at the Australian Defence Force Academy, said the move was a “massive shift” beyond more routine anti-ship tactics.
“They’ve given themselves a much more powerful deterrent that complicates China’s strategic calculations,” he said, adding he was surprised by the move.
Vietnam is the first Southeast Asian nation to arm its submarine fleet with a land attack missile.
Vietnam is showing its giant neighbor China, that it is ready to take action anytime the diplomatic process fails. Vietnam and Philippines shares the same sentiment against the bully China, but the Philippines preferred to exhaust all efforts in diplomatic way.
Leaders of Philippines and Vietnam are expected to meet this June to discuss more options on how to counter China’s aggression, as the later asked the former to form a pact to counter the neighboring bully.
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