Philippines purchases two warships from South Korea due to the tension with China

Manila/Beijing: – The Philippines has agreed to buy two warships from South Korea to thwart Chinese hegemonic actions in the South China Sea. Both warships will be equipped with anti-ship and anti-submarine systems and will be inducted into the navy over the next five years, said Philippine Defence Minister Delfin Lorenzana. This is the third defence agreement between the Philippines and South Korea. Earlier, the Philippines purchased two destroyers from South Korea and purchased a South Korean naval warship after being ‘refurbished’.

The dispute between China and the Philippines over the South China Sea seems festering. Last month, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte had lambasted China during a meeting between China and ASEAN. The Philippine government and military have consistently retaliated against China, adopting a firm stand on the South China Sea issue. A few months ago, the Philippines openly flouted the annual fishing ban imposed by China. Since then, the Philippines has started developing artificial islands and a military hub in the South China Sea.

The new defence agreement with South Korea is the next step. According to an earlier agreement between the Philippines and South Korea, BRP Jose Rizal and BRP Antonio Luna have been inducted into the Philippine navy. The Pohang class destroyer is to be decommissioned by the South Korean navy. Hence, it will join the Philippines navy next year. The subsequent purchase of two new destroyers is indicative of the aggressive policy adopted by the Philippines. Helicopters will be procured from Europe after the warships, Philippine sources said.

Meanwhile, the US Congressional Research Service (CRS) has submitted a report to the US Congress outlining China’s aggression. The information is titled, ‘US-China Strategic Competition in South and East China Seas: Background and Issues for Congress’. The report also accuses China of using ‘Salami Slicing tactics’ and ‘grey zone warfare’ to control the South China Sea and the East China Sea.