According to USNI News, a news website of the U.S. Naval Institute, on November 13 local time, a spokesperson for the U.S. Marine Corps Pacific Force stated that the 1st Unmanned Aviation Group of the U.S. Marines stationed in Arizona has been deployed to the Philippines.

The spokesperson introduced that the squadron, equipped with MQ-9A "Reaper" drones, has been stationed at Basa Air Base in the Philippines. This deployment is aimed at "supporting the Philippines' maritime security" and also enhances the maritime situational awareness capability of the U.S.-Philippines alliance.

The spokesperson said: "The temporary deployment of unarmed MQ-9A drones to the Philippines reflects the joint commitment of both sides to strengthen collective maritime security."

The U.S. Marine Corps Pacific Force did not specify the exact number of drones deployed in the Philippines.

The U.S. Marine Corps I Expeditionary Force had previously confirmed that, at the request of the Philippine government, "Reaper" drones were deployed at Basa Air Base in June 2024 to provide similar intelligence support.

On April 18 local time, members of the 3rd Aviation Group of the U.S. Marines posed in front of a "Reaper" drone at Basa Air Base, the Philippines. U.S. Marines

Basa Air Base is one of nine locations in the Philippines where U.S. military forces are rotated and facilities are built under the 2014 U.S.-Philippines Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. In recent years, the air base has received multiple U.S.-funded projects to improve its runways and aircraft facilities.

Previously, the Philippines has received several Boeing "ScanEagle" drones donated by the United States. At the same time, the Philippine military has also deployed Israeli-made "Hermes" 900 and 450 drones in Palawan Province, the westernmost part of the country.

In response to the military cooperation between the U.S. and the Philippines, China has repeatedly clarified its position. On March 25, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jia Kun stated that any defense and security cooperation between the Philippines and other countries should not target a third party or harm the interests of a third party, let alone threaten regional peace and escalate regional tensions. Facts have repeatedly proven that inviting wolves into the house will only burn oneself, and being a "pawn" will only end up as a "discarded piece".

On November 16, Colonel Tian Junli, a spokesperson for the Southern Theater Command, stated that on November 14, the People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command organized a bomber formation for a routine patrol in the South China Sea. The Philippines frequently colludes with external forces to organize so-called "joint patrols," undermining regional peace and stability. We warn the Philippines to immediately stop inciting incidents and escalating tensions. The theater command's forces remain highly vigilant and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, security, and the peace and stability of the South China Sea region. Any attempt to infringe upon or provoke will not succeed.

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