German warships in the Philippines: a sign of things to come?

The vessels, the first-in-class frigate Baden-Württemberg and the Berlin-class supply ship Frankfurt am Main, arrived in Manila on Monday and will remain in port until Thursday.

Andreas Pfaffernoschke, the German ambassador to the Philippines, said the visit speaks to the ongoing cooperation between the two nations and “underscores how politically significant the Indo-Pacific region has become for Germany”.

In an opinion piece for The Philippine Star, Pfaffernoschke noted that Germany’s visit also showcases its commitment to upholding international law and freedom of navigation, coming at a time “when the international rules-based order in the South China Sea is constantly being challenged”.

Pfaffernoschke said that recent incidents between China and the Philippines have raised concerns about security and stability in the area.