A former Philippine defense secretary says protecting a Philippine military outpost on a shoal in the South China Sea is in the interest of many countries.
Orland Mercado made the comment in an interview with NHK.
Mercado led the policy of intentionally grounding a warship on the Second Thomas Shoal in 1999, and turning it into a military outpost.
The Philippines effectively controls the shoal. China claims it and has been stepping up its assertive behavior in the area.
Referring to the Chinese coast guard’s inspection of a Philippine ship on June 17, Mercado said Beijing is “trying to win without firing a shot.” He said that is part of Beijing’s long-stated strategy which he referred to as grey-zone warfare or hybrid warfare.
Mercado said the establishment of the outpost was in response to China’s occupation of neighboring Mischief Reef in 1995 and the construction of a large man-made island.
He said the navy came up with the idea as a way to protect the country’s interests.
Mercado said there was a plan to ground more ships but that it did not materialize due to a change in government.
He said his country should have done it as much as 20 years ago but that it’s not late, and suggested that measures be taken to strengthen the outpost, including repairing the grounded ship.
Mercado said ensuring that the Philippines does not lose the outpost “dovetails with the interests of many countries that use the international lanes of communication.” He called for support from the international community, including the United States and Japan.