AFP readies contingencies for China’s possible actions following 2026 Balikatan

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday said it is prepared for “any escalation or eventuality” from China’s possible actions following the opening of this year's Balikatan Exercise with the United States.

“I would not like to speculate on how they would react after Balikatan. What I would like to say is your AFP is prepared for any escalation, for any eventuality,” AFP spokesperson for West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad told reporters.

“We have the appropriate contingency plans in place. And we have seen in the past that your AFP has been able to stand up to any challenge posed to us by the adversary in the maritime domain,” he added.

China earlier warned against actions that could lead to “division and confrontation” in the Asia-Pacific.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said the region needs “peace and tranquility,” adding that military cooperation should not undermine mutual trust or stability nor target any third party.

“No military and security cooperation should be conducted at the expense of mutual understanding and trust as well as peace and stability in the region,” he added.

“Such cooperation should not target any third party or harm the interests of any third party. For countries that tie their own security to others, it is important to bear in mind that this may very well backfire,” he added.

'Not deterred'

Trinidad, however, said military cooperation with partner nations will continue.

He added that the growing number of participating countries in such exercises reflects international support for the Philippines’ position in protecting its maritime domain.

“We will not be deterred from performing our mandate, from continuing exercises with our like-minded partners,” Trinidad said.

Around 17,000 troops from the US, Philippines, and other nations are expected to join this year's Balikatan Exercise, which includes activities in the West Philippine Sea.

Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.

Parts of the South China Sea that fall within Philippine territory have been renamed by the government as the West Philippine Sea to reinforce the country’s claim.

The West Philippine Sea refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago including Luzon Sea and the waters around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis."

China has refused to recognize the decision. —VAL, GMA News