THITU ISLAND, South China Sea. Philippine forces conducted their first-ever island recapture exercise in the contested waters of the South China Sea on Wednesday. The drill took place on Thitu Island, with Chinese naval vessels observing from a distance, as the Philippine military chief noted.
General Romeo Brawner Jr., who oversaw the exercises from a Philippine Navy frigate, emphasized the nation’s commitment to sovereignty. “We are warning our neighbors or whoever or any external forces that we are capable of defending our islands,” Brawner stated, addressing a group of journalists, including those from the Associated Press, who were invited to witness the maneuvers.
The exercise, aimed at strengthening the country’s defense capabilities in the face of growing regional tensions, is seen as a bold statement amid the longstanding territorial disputes involving the South China Sea. China claims nearly the entire sea, despite counterclaims from the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan.
While Chinese officials did not issue an immediate response, they have opposed previous military drills in the area. The Philippines, supported by its treaty ally the United States, has continued to bolster its defensive measures, underscoring the region’s strategic importance.
The South China Sea disputes represent a critical and delicate issue within the broader U.S.-China power struggle in Asia, one likely to remain a key focus for the next American administration.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
