This week, the Armed Forces of the Philippines inaugurated a new military base in the Luzon Strait, a strategic area located 120 miles south of Taiwan. The outpost, named Mahatao Forward Operating Base (FOB), was commissioned by the Northern Luzon Command on Batan Island, in the province of Batanes, the northernmost point of the country.
According to an official statement, “the Mahatao FOB will serve as a platform for territorial defense, maritime domain awareness, and humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations. Its location highlights the strategic importance of Batanes as the nation’s northernmost frontier.”
The new site is, to date, the largest military infrastructure developed in Batanes by the Armed Forces of the Philippines. It was defined by the Northern Luzon Command as a “gateway for defense and disaster relief” in the region.
Marine Infantry units, previously stationed in the south of the country, were deployed across different points in Batanes to carry out maritime surveillance functions. Among them is an outpost on Mavulis Island, located just 88 miles from Taiwan’s southern coast.
In parallel, China has increased its naval presence in the first island chain, deploying coast guard vessels and aircraft carrier strike groups through this strategic passage, which has raised concern in Manila.
In April, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, General Romeo Brawner, urged troops stationed in the area to plan “actions in case there is an invasion of Taiwan.” On that same occasion, he warned that the Philippines would “inevitably” be drawn into a conflict between China and Taiwan.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos reinforced this stance by stating that “the war over Taiwan will drag the Philippines, even by force, into the conflict,” due to the country’s geographic proximity to the disputed area.
Among Manila’s main concerns in a war scenario is the repatriation of nearly 200,000 Filipinos residing in Taiwan, an operation that would be led by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, according to statements from Brawner.
Tensions in the South China Sea
Tensions between the Philippines and China have intensified with the deployment of ships and aircraft from both countries in disputed waters of the South China Sea. In this context, Manila has strengthened its military cooperation with allies and strategic partners.
In August, the Philippines and India conducted their first combined maritime exercises in Philippine waters, with the participation of the Indian destroyers INS Delhi (D61), INS Kolkata (D63), and the replenishment ship INS Shakti, alongside the Philippine frigates BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) and BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-06). During the drills, interoperability operations, coordinated patrols, and real-time communication exercises were carried out.
General Brawner reported that the participating units were followed by unidentified vessels, presumably Chinese, reflecting a pattern of constant monitoring by Beijing.
On another front of cooperation, the Philippines and Australia launched Exercise Alon 2025, considered the largest Australian military deployment in the region. More than 3,600 troops took part in combat operations, tactical maneuvers, and amphibious exercises in Palawan and Luzon.
Australia deployed land, naval, and air assets, including the destroyer HMAS Brisbane, F/A-18F Super Hornet strike fighters, EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft, and C-17A Globemaster III strategic transport aircraft. On the Philippine side, army, air force, and navy units participated, including FA-50PH Fighting Eagle aircraft and S-70i Blackhawk helicopters.
Cooperation with allies and China’s response
The Philippines’ allies, mainly the United States and Australia, have intensified joint military exercises in the northern islands in recent years. The training includes maritime security operations, deployments of anti-ship missiles, and advanced artillery systems, such as U.S. High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and Mid-Range Capability launchers.
China has repeatedly criticized these deployments, claiming they undermine regional stability. The Chinese Ministry of Defense maintains that the maneuvers and foreign military presence in the area “disrupt peace and security” in the South China Sea.
Images for illustrative purposes only.
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