Philippines lagging in assets for territorial defense – Japan

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines’ limited territorial defense capabilities were evident in a recently released Japanese defense ministry document detailing the military assets of claimants in the South China Sea.

The document dated July 28 noted that there is “a vast gap both in the quality and quantity of navy and air force capabilities” between China and the main coastal states in South China Sea, namely the Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia.

According to the document, the Philippines has 80 warships but no submarines.

A Philippine Navy source, however, said the figure includes vessels that are undergoing repairs and maintenance work.

“Any Navy ship can be considered a warship,” the Navy official told The STAR.

The document noted that the Philippines has two-Hamilton class frigates, Cannon-class vessel and two Corvette ships.

The frigates – BRP Gregorio del Pilar and BRP Ramon Alcaraz – were acquired recently from the United States Coast Guard.

The Cannon-class ship is the destroyer BRP Rajah Jumabon which was acquired from Japan in 1977.

The Japanese ministry document noted that the Philippines has at least two Auk-class corvettes. The Navy, however, actually has three – the BRP Emilio Jacinto, BRP Artemio Ricarte, and BRP Apolinario Mabini. The BRP Jacinto, however, is undergoing repairs.

The Philippines also has 26 combat aircraft including OV-10 Bronco attackers, F-27 jets and N-22SL nomad plane, according to the document.

It has no fighter jets but the document noted the Philippine government’s acquisition of 12 FA-50 lead-in fighter trainer jets from South Korea last year. The jets are expected to be in service by 2017.

The Philippine Coast Guard, meanwhile, has 58 vessels, including five coastal patrol ships. It also has at least three air-sea rescue helicopters.

There are about 8,300 members of the Philippine Marine Corps, according to the document.

China’s military might

Those of China, which claims about 90 percent of the South China Sea, however, dwarfed the Philippines’ assets.

According to the document, China has 892 warships, including 26 submarines and seven destroyers.

China also has 2,582 combat aircraft, including 689 fourth-generation fighters.

The document said China also has 370 maritime law enforcement vessels, including 70 coastal patrol vessels. These law enforcement vessels are considered “white” or civilian ships.

The Philippines’ naval and aerial assets also paled in comparison with that of Vietnam and Malaysia.

The document showed Vietnam has 94 warships and 97 combat aircraft. It also has 34 Coast Guard vessels and about 27,000 naval infantrymen.

Malaysia reportedly has 208 warships and 71 combat aircraft. Its Maritime Enforcement Agency has 189 ships, 4,500 personnel and 2,100 marine policemen.

Asked to comment on the report, Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman Col. Restituto Padilla said the armed forces is thankful that Japan’s defense ministry is taking interest in the situation in the West Philippine Sea.

“It is reassuring that there is increasing awareness and concern on the subject,” Padilla said.

“We hope this increasing awareness on the issue can generate collective action that will ensure freedom of navigation, security of commons and stability in the region,” he added.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea while the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have overlapping claims. Japan and China are also embroiled in a dispute over the unoccupied Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.