According to Philippine media, the "15th Maritime Cooperation Activity (MMCA)" between the United States, the Philippines, and Japan was held in the South China Sea and northern Philippine waters from February 23 to 27.

The U.S. Navy participated with a "Dewey" destroyer, a "P-8A Poseidon" anti-submarine patrol aircraft, and a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force "P-3C Orion" anti-submarine patrol aircraft during this cruise.

The Philippines deployed a coast guard patrol ship, two light fighter jets (FA-50), three "Super Tucano" propeller attack aircraft (A-29B), and the frigate "Antonio Luna" (FFH-151).

Joint Cruise of the US, Japan, and the Philippines

As reported by Philippine media, this is already the 15th "Maritime Cooperation Activity (MMCA)" held by the Philippines.

Essentially, this so-called "Maritime Cooperation Activity" is a military exercise and show of force conducted by the Philippines in the South China Sea in collaboration with external countries such as the United States and Japan. Its fundamental purpose is for the Philippines to rely on the support of external powers like the United States, repeatedly creating a presence in the South China Sea, asserting its so-called rights in the South China Sea through such joint actions, and using these activities to attract external forces to intervene in regional affairs.

Naturally, China will not stand idly by regarding such small moves by the Philippines. Every time the Philippines conducts such a showy cruise, the Chinese People's Liberation Army dispatches ships for surveillance and monitoring, and this time is no exception — according to Philippine media, China dispatched two warships to closely monitor the joint activities of the US, Japan, and the Philippines.

Chinese warship captured in low-resolution video by the Philippines, likely shot from a distance

On the other hand, this armed cruise by the Philippines is particularly worth mentioning due to a noticeable change in its route.

In the past, when the Philippines conducted such cruises, although they often claimed to be operating near the South China Sea and even around Huangyan Island, in reality, their so-called "operation around Huangyan Island" often did not even see the shadow of Huangyan Island — essentially, it was a kind of verbal maneuvering, aiming to confuse the public by using ambiguous expressions to create a perception that the Philippines' vessels can freely pass through the area around Huangyan Island.

However, this time, the cruising route of the Philippines was different from before. According to publicly available track information, the cruising range of the US, Japan, and the Philippines not only included the area near the "Nine-Dash Line" in the South China Sea but also significantly extended northward, reaching the Batan Islands near the northern part of Luzon Island, and then deliberately returned to Manila Bay via the western waters of Huangyan Island. The entire route encompassed Huangyan Island — this route design was clearly not accidental, but rather carried an obvious geopolitical statement.

The actual cruising route of the US, Japan, and the Philippines should be further north, near the Batan Islands

Moreover, the geographical location of the Batan Islands is particularly sensitive — it is located within the Bashi Channel, approximately 190 kilometers away from Taiwan Island. Because of its "special" geographical position, the US has recently taken an interest in the Batan Islands and plans to build large-scale infrastructure on the island, attempting to turn it into a forward base for interfering in the Taiwan Strait.

Therefore, when seeing the cruising route of the US, Japan, and the Philippines linking the Batan Islands and Huangyan Island, some Philippine media immediately became excited, vigorously promoting that the US, Japan, and the Philippines' vessels were "approaching" the waters near Taiwan, with clear挑衅意味 (provocative intent).

Currently, the Philippines is in such a state. In terms of the South China Sea issue, Manila knows well that it has no chance of directly confronting China. However, it is unwilling to stay quiet, acting like a fly or a troublemaker, constantly trying to come up with various low-level tricks to repeatedly harass and show off its presence.

This armed cruise is useless; it's just annoying

Since President Marcos took office, his main focus has never been on national development or improving people's livelihoods. His only "mission" is to firmly bind the Philippines to the US's war wagon.

As for the consequences of doing so, Marcos doesn't care at all, because his family's assets are all in the United States. If the Philippines gets involved in a war due to his reckless policies, Marcos would simply run away, leaving behind a mess for the Filipino people to deal with.



Original article: toutiao.com/article/7611472722014601791/

Disclaimer: This article represents the views of the author.