South China Sea: Manila sends vessel to Benham Rise. Is it just a symbolic show of force?

Abdul Rahman Yaacob, a research fellow with the Southeast Asia programme at Australian think tank Lowy Institute, said the Philippines had to do more than conduct symbolic deployments, noting a constant naval presence was needed across the economic zone and archipelago, especially in the contested area.

“Diplomacy and deterrence are critical to managing tension and disputes. The current strategy of assertive maritime transparency is useful, but to a certain extent only. Publishing China’s aggressive actions in the disputed areas enables the narrative that China is the big bully [and] influences like-minded countries’ perceptions of China,” he said.

Yaacob, also a PhD candidate at Australian National University’s National Security College, noted Manila’s surface fleet had limited missile capabilities and was ill-equipped to conduct modern naval warfare.

“The latest inclusion of two missile frigates does not bolster the Philippine navy’s capabilities significantly. These frigates will only be fully armed with surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles,” he said, referring to the BRP Jose Rizal and BRP Antonio Luna.

“Given the urgency of threats to its maritime interests and financial constraints in the immediate and medium term, the Philippine navy should first strengthen its surface fleet, both in terms of numbers and capabilities.”

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The BRP Jose Rizal deployment reflected Manila’s resolve to defend the country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea and Benham Rise, said political analyst Sherwin Ona, an associate professor of political science at Manila’s De La Salle University.

“It is a way to show our people and the world that even