Warships from the Philippines, Australia, and Canada began a joint sail in South China Sea, underscoring Manila’s determination to build new security ties as tensions with Beijing mount. The move followed closely on the heels of another naval exercise earlier this month, when the Philippines and India held their first-ever joint sail in the same contested waters.
The joint military exercises with Australia and Canada, called ALON (the Filipino word for “wave”), began on August 15 and is scheduled to last 15 days. It includes amphibious drills, land operations, and live-fire exercises designed to improve coordination between the militaries.
Expanding Network of Allies
The Philippines is no longer relying solely on its long-standing alliance with the United States. By holding exercises with Australia, Canada, and India in quick succession, Manila is signaling that more nations now share its concerns in the West Philippines Sea. Each partnership adds visibility to the principle that navigation rights under international law should be upheld, and that no single country can dictate the rules of these waters.
The sail with India on August 4 stood out because it was the first time the two countries conducted such an operation together. Beyond the symbolism, it showed that Manila is eager to reach out to rising powers outside the Pacific alliance system. For New Delhi, the exercise offered a chance to reinforce its role in Indo-Pacific security and highlight its readiness to engage on maritime issues that extend beyond its immediate neighborhood.
China’s Reaction to the Collision Incident
These growing partnerships come against a tense backdrop. Earlier this month, a Chinese navy ship collided with a Chinese coast guard vessel near Scarborough Shoal after cutting across its path while both were chasing a Philippine vessel. The coast guard ship’s forecastle was damaged, and the incident was described as the first known crash between Chinese vessels in those waters. The Philippines said it bore no responsibility for the event, but Beijing’s reply was to accuse Philippine vessels of “dangerous maneuvers.” By shifting blame, China once again avoided accountability while pressing its expansive claims. This reaction has only deepened the perception that Beijing’s strategy is to combine physical pressure with diplomatic deflection, leaving smaller states with little choice but to seek stronger partners.
