With upcoming upgrades to naval bases facing the South China Sea, Manila is set to expand its reach into the disputed littorals off Palawan via the deployment of Marine Corps and Naval Special Operations Group watercraft.
In its shift from internal to external defense, the Armed Forces of the Philippines has shifted its gaze from the country’s southern islands to frontiers in the South China Sea and Luzon Strait. However, a lackluster modernization program, inadequate funding, and other factors have delayed expected upgrades of Philippine forces operating in these regions.
Among these forces is the Philippine Marine Corps, which has recognized the importance of developing littoral interdiction capabilities in the Active Archipelagic Defense Strategy. The force has since repurposed fibreglass boats procured to operate in the rivers and coastal waters of Mindanao for littoral operations that they were never meant to be used in. Dubbed Patrol Craft Coastals, these Propmech-designed and built watercraft have been seen operating at South China Sea flashpoints and strategic maritime chokepoints.
Marine Corps Patrol Craft Coastals and June 17th
Last year’s June 17th Incident at Second Thomas Shoal revealed the extreme usage of these small boats. At least two of the Patrol Craft Coastals were photographed by the China Coast Guard, placing the 13-meter-long craft over 100 nautical miles from the Philippines during the incident. Several Philippine Navy SEAL rigid-hulled inflatable boats were towed and captured by the China Coast Guard in what has been the most severe incident between Manila and Beijing in the disputed waters to date.
While specific details on the incident—— and the involvement of the Marine Corps boats—— remain unclear, Propmech President and CEO Glenn Tong told Naval News at the 2024 Asia Defense and Security Exposition that the fiberglass boats were “being used for much rougher requirements than they were designed for” in their day-to-day operations.
“I think they’ve been performing quite admirably, and I think that it’s been a testament to how brave the Marines are that they’ve been going out to these small vessels and really doing their duty for the nation,” said Tong.
Compared to previous incidents at Second Thomas Shoals, the presence of Philippine military small boats marked a shift in Manila’s approach to the shoal. Instead of Coast Guard cutters escorting the resupply mission, the Marines and Navy SEALs took charge.
Western Palawan Bases
Satellite imagery and Philippine Navy public releases show at least four of the Patrol Craft Coastals at Naval Detachment Oyster Bay. This strategic naval base regularly sorties resupply runs for its South China Sea outposts. This site is slated to receive an American-funded facility dedicated to maintaining and repairing Philippine small boats and unmanned surface vessels.
Another American-funded maintenance facility is also set to be constructed in Southern Palawan in the Municipality of Quezon. Additionally, Washington’s funding at this location supports the construction of a barracks facility for personnel and limited operations. From these two sites, the Philippines will enhance its ability to project Philippine Marine Corps and Naval Special Operations Group watercraft into contested areas. Alongside existing Philippine small boats, both facilities will host U.S.-provided fast boats and assault boats from American shipbuilder Reconcraft.
The Philippine Marine Corps has also examined concepts to refocus their riverine watercraft for littoral missions. Last summer the force stood up its first Maritime Security Battalion, a formation dedicated to enhance Marine Corps capabilities amid “increasing external threats and border disputes.” This unit was deployed to Tawi-Tawi, placing the unit on a strategic maritime chokepoint in the country’s southwest.
