Marco Valbuena | Chief Information Officer | Communist Party of the Philippines
The Filipino people must denounce the Marcos regime for playing up the scenario of a potential “invasion of Taiwan” by China, which is being fueled by the Trump government and the US military to justify its heightened military presence in the region, intensified military operations in the Taiwan Strait and increased military aid to Taiwan.
Malacañang defended the war-mongering statements made a few days ago by Gen. Romeo Brawner, chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). He ordered the military to “extend its sphere of operations beyond the Mavulis island,” and “start planning for actions in case there is an invasion of Taiwan.” He justified the orders by claiming that these are only to prepare for possible evacuation of Filipino workers in Taiwan, a matter that is properly in the purview of civilian agencies.
In fact, Brawner’s statement constitutes direct interference on the Taiwan issue, which has long been recognized as a domestic matter for China, in accordance with the long-standing One China policy. It is a direct affront against China, that further strains Philippine-China relations, and makes it more difficult to resolve maritime disputes in the South China Sea through peaceful dialogue.
General Brawner issued his statements just a few days after the visit by US Defense Sec. Pete Hegseth, who made clear the US plans to deploy more and more troops and war matériel during the upcoming the Balikatan 2025 and other war exercises in the coming months. These war exercises are all being lined up by the US in pursuit of its Indo-Pacific strategy of containing China.
By amplifying the “invasion of Taiwan” scenario, Brawner is acting like an over-excited attack dog of the US imperialists, eager to please his US master and join it in its military operations in this region. This came after the US government approved the potential sale of 20 F-16 fighter jets (which are being phased out in the US in favor of the newer F-35s).
Brawner’s statements is in line with the US narrative of a Chinese “invasion of Taiwan” which the US has been promoting for some time. By stepping up its military engagements in and around Taiwan, the US government under Trump aims to fortify its military presence in the island, raising the possibility of instigating a Chinese military response, and make it “hold the starting gun.” This brings back to mind how Trump deployed missile systems in the eastern part of Ukraine, which played a major role in instigating Russia’s military assault in 2022.
From February 10 to 12, the US Navy sailed the USS Ralph Johnson and an oceanographic survey ship through the Taiwan Strait, sparking tensions and prompting China to put a significant number of aircraft and warships on alert. The following day, the US dropped a State Department policy statement of not supporting Taiwan independence, further sparking outrage in China, which views it as an act of interventionism, and an attempt to foment separatism in Taiwan.
Before Trump’s return to power, the US approved the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which includes a $300 million package of military equipment for Taiwan, comprising long-range missiles, radars, drones, anti-armor weapons, and other supplies. Notably, despite a freeze on foreign aid, the Trump government also recently approved the release of $870 million in “security assistance” for Taiwan. The US military is also planning to invite Taiwan to participate in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) military exercises which would further solidify US military dominance in the island.
Simultaneous with its recent military engagements in Taiwan, the US held large-scale war exercises in the Korean Peninsula. It continues to deploy naval forces in the South China Sea and Japan. These all coincide with the US government escalation of its trade and economic war with China, to which the latter is responding in words and in kind.
The upcoming Balikatan 2025 in the Philippines will be held in this context of US heightening military engagements in Taiwan. This explains why much of the war exercises are set to be concentrated in and around the Philippines’ northernmost province of Batanes. The US wants to increase the presence of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to augment its heightened operations in the Bashi Channel (Luzon Channel). These US operations seek to forward-deploy its missile systems and rotational troops in the area.
Therefore, the Filipino people must oppose the upcoming Balikatan war exercises, which will be used by the US government and military forces to advance its strategic interests and project its hegemonic power. By cooperating with the US, the Marcos regime and the AFP is allowing the country to be dragged into an imperialist armed conflict that brings no benefit to the Filipino people. The Marcos regime is undermining the Filipino people’s desire to uphold peaceful and friendly relations with neighboring countries.
Moreover, the Filipino people must demand the dismantling of all US military bases and facilities in the Philippines, the withdrawal of all US troops, and the demilitarization of the South China Sea. They must also amplify their call for the abrogation of all unequal military treaties with the US, such as the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), and the Bilateral Defense Guidelines. They must denounce the US for providing military aid to the Marcos regime, which is used for its campaign of political repression and aerial bombing.
