Latest news with #RomeoBrawnerJnr
South China Morning Post
08-04-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
India may not join the Squad. But its regional ties are ‘gaining momentum'
New Delhi is not expected to take up Manila's invitation to join the informal Squad alliance , according to analysts – a move that would add to pressure on Beijing in the South China Sea . But India 's efforts to expand engagement in the region are seen as 'significant'. Advertisement The Philippines wants both India and South Korea to join its Squad security partnership with the United States, Australia and Japan, which plans to conduct more maritime exercises and provide greater security assistance to the Philippines. It comes as tensions have been mounting between Manila and Beijing over their rival claims to the South China Sea, with frequent run-ins between the two sides in the strategic, resource-rich waters. Beijing and New Delhi – both facing new tariffs from Washington – have meanwhile made substantial progress in recent months to restore some normalcy in their relations. That has seen high-level meetings held, an agreement to resume direct flights between the neighbouring countries, and a potential relaxation of the trade and investment curbs India imposed on China after their border stand-off started in 2020. India has remained tight-lipped on the Squad proposal since it was revealed by Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jnr last month, when he described China as a 'common enemy' of both the Philippines and India. Advertisement 'So, it's important that we collaborate together, maybe exchange intelligence,' Brawner said at the Raisina Dialogue, a security forum in New Delhi.
South China Morning Post
01-04-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Philippine military chief warns troops to ‘start planning' in event of Taiwan conflict
Philippine military chief General Romeo Brawner Jnr has warned his troops to be prepared for a possible invasion of Taiwan by mainland China, a directive analysts say underscores how Manila's involvement would be 'inevitable' given the large presence of Filipino workers there and the Southeast Asian nation's defence ties with the US. Advertisement Speaking at an event marking the 38th anniversary of the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) on Tuesday, Brawner told the assembled soldiers to 'start planning' for such a scenario, warning they would be at 'the front line' of any rescue operation should mainland China attack the self-ruled island. 'If something happens to Taiwan, inevitably we will be involved. There are 250,000 OFWs [Filipino overseas workers] working in Taiwan and we will have to rescue them, and it will be the task of the Nolcom to be at the front line of that operation,' he said. Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary. Most countries, including the US, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, but Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the self-governed island by force and is committed to supplying it with weapons. Philippine Army Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner Jnr says the country will be at 'the front line' of any rescue operation should mainland China attack Taiwan. Photo: Reuters Brawner's statement came on the same day that the Chinese People's Liberation Army Eastern Command spokesman, Senior Colonel Shi Yi, announced more massive military drills near Taiwan.
South China Morning Post
21-03-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Philippines aims to expand ‘Squad' grouping by adding India, South Korea to counter China
The Philippines has stepped up efforts to expand the so-called 'Squad' alliance to include India and South Korea , with military officials pushing for broader regional cooperation to counter China's growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific. Advertisement Analysts say expanding the Squad – an informal security partnership between the Philippines, the US Japan , and Australia focused on military cooperation, intelligence-sharing and joint exercises – would improve surveillance and response capabilities. This would hinder Beijing's operations in contested waters and increase the chances of a coordinated regional response to Chinese provocations. Armed Forces chief General Romeo Brawner Jnr told a security forum in New Delhi on Wednesday that Manila was strengthening its deterrence capabilities by collaborating with partners in the Squad. 'Together with Japan and our partners we are trying to expand the Squad to include India and probably South Korea,' Brawner said at the Raisina Dialogue, which was attended by senior commanders from Squad member nations and India. Brawner also stressed the shared challenges facing Manila and New Delhi. 'We have a common enemy. And I'm not afraid to say that China is our common enemy. So, it's important that we collaborate together, maybe exchange intelligence,' he told reporters. Advertisement The bloc is one of several regional partnerships that Washington has used to counter China's assertiveness in Asia
South China Morning Post
13-02-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Can Manila's submarine plan challenge Beijing's South China Sea dominance?
Manila's plan to acquire submarines and additional missiles to counter Beijing's military might in the South China Sea has been praised by observers as a strategic long-term measure, despite the high costs and questions about the country's readiness to maintain such technology. One analyst said the move was long overdue, since the Philippines discovered last year that its rival had used drones in mapping out the seabed in the disputed waters. On Wednesday, citing an 'increase in China's illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive activities' General Romeo Brawner Jnr, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief, announced the country's desire to procure two submarines and additional BrahMos missiles in response to China's military build-up in the West Philippine Sea, Manila's name for the South China Sea within its exclusive economic zone. Last year, Manila acquired its first and only batch of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles under a US$375 million deal with India. 'It is a dream for us to get at least two submarines,' Brawner said at the Management Association of the Philippines in Taguig City, adding that as an archipelago nation, they need this capability to effectively defend our waters. Chester Cabalza, president of the Manila-based International Development and Security Cooperation think tank, said the submarine acquisition highlighted Manila's recognition of underwater deterrence.
