| Welcome to Philippines Defense Forces Forum. We hope you enjoy your visit. You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free. Join our community! If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features: |
| Reports: China plans to seize Pag-Asa Island this year | |
|---|---|
| Tweet Topic Started: Jan 13 2014, 02:03 PM (7,867 Views) | |
| Andres Boning | Jan 18 2014, 06:07 AM Post #31 |
|
Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
@Para, The point of my suggestion is for PH to have the capability to secure and protect Pag-asa Island and nearby territories, if we keep on thinking on having the same mind set, like what if they get mad and so and so.. or be afraid and hesitate all the time, we will be bullied for the rest of our lives. Remember that Pag-asa Island has an existing Marine Base w/ airfield, structural buildings that needs to be upgraded/ Modernized or fortified, so that would be the main reason for the plan. It will only need one or two hangars, one that can accommodate turbo prop AC/ LCA fighter in future and the other for a helicopter hangar, if an air tower can be built and exist on an Aircraft Carrier which is 10 times smaller than this Island, then there's no problem for PH to build one. There's a big difference between sending or deploying a warship to the area that can be seen as offensive, than having an Island Municipality w/ an existing Military base that must be always secured at all times, like how you would secure a small Country, for defensive purposes. Any external threats, invasion on Pag-asa Island which is part of Municipality of Palawan would mean as an act of war against the Republic of the Philippines. I would also add (4-6) RHB Fast Boats armed w/ M-134 MG's or 50 cal. to secure and protect the shallow waters around the area and the local fishermen. |
![]() |
|
| Parastriker | Jan 18 2014, 08:04 AM Post #32 |
|
Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
I never said that we dumb down our own defense capabilities. What I implied was a defense that would not clearly escalate the current situation. As much as I personally want a robust defense for the Philippines, doing it with the cost of starting a war would certainly be not palatable. Think of the Cold War and the perceived "missile gap" and look how it culminated into a Cuban Missile crisis; nobody stepped a foot back until some sort of escalation happened, and that's with a sane American and Soviet leader. |
|
Success through information, victory through disinformation. "Good leaders make efficient followers. Great leaders make good followers. But true leaders make leaders out of mere followers." "Measuring the intelligence of a common internet user is as easy as looking at his/her grammar." | |
![]() |
|
| Lyndon | Jan 18 2014, 04:54 PM Post #33 |
|
Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Central luzon? Then why the component battalions of 7ID are all over mindanao? Off topic but need to inform much of us that all our decorated officers and EPs got their combat experience here in mindanao. I can tell that two battalions from 7id are here, in is in cotabato and one is in davao region to gain experience from both moro and npa tactics...thats the only info i could share. Regarding with the chinese agression, militarily its indefensible, how many times we heard our top brass remindind the troops that "unang-una wala tayong iputok, second, the best orders that we can give in case of attack is " take care of yourselves". Since the early 90s, our only defense for now is diplomacy.. With regard to the movies citing afghanistan and vietnam, those countries were taken very quick and the guerrila movement of the patriots took the enemies little by little, that is not applicable to our island territories. |
| Your signature pic has been removed for being too large | |
![]() |
|
| seWer Rat | Jan 18 2014, 05:46 PM Post #34 |
|
amateur sewer cleaner
![]()
|
What If China Did Invade Pag-asa Island? An invasion of Pag-asa Island by Chinese forces would certainly be a tragic mistake for China. By Carl Thayer January 16, 2014 In the midst of the furor over Hainan province’s new fishing regulations covering nearly sixty percent of the South China Sea, an unnamed Chinese writer penned an article in the Chinese-language publication Qianzhan (Prospects) arguing that China would recover Zhongye Island by force during 2014 as part of a long-term naval expansion plan. The article likely would have attracted little attention outside China until a summary was translated into English by Chan Kai Yee (who is now often mistakenly listed as the original piece’s author). The summary was published by the China Daily Mail on January 13 under the headline, “China and the Philippines: The reason why a battle for Zhongye (Pag-asa) Island seems unavoidable.” It is common for retired Chinese military officers and civilian ultranationalists to write about the South China Sea and threaten the Philippines and Vietnam with military action for “stealing” Chinese territory. The Qianzhan article cites unnamed “experts” that the People’s Liberation Army Navy has drawn up a detailed combat plan to seize Zhongye Island this year because of its strategic significance. Zhongye is better known as Thitu Island or Pag-asa in Tagalog. It is the second largest island in the Spratlys, estimated to cover an area of 37.2 hectares (or 0.14 square miles/0.36 square kilometers). Itu Aba is the largest of the islands in the archipelago and covers an area of 46 hectares in size. It is occupied by Taiwan. xxx How plausible is the Qianzhan‘s scenario? China could easily achieve strategic surprise and seize Pag-asa Island. China could disguise an invasion force as a flotilla engaged in routine naval exercises in the South China Sea. In March-April last year, for example, China assembled a small flotilla to conduct combat training exercises in the South China Sea. The flotilla comprised the modern amphibious assault ship Jinggangshan, two guided missile frigates and a guided missile destroyer. When the flotilla reached the waters surrounding Mischief Reef, Chinese state television showed pictures of People’s Liberation Army marines in hovercraft storming the beach of a Chinese-occupied islet supported by armed helicopters. A similar flotilla could set sail ostensibly to undertake normal combat training exercises. It could achieve strategic surprise by veering off suddenly and invading Pag-asa. The Philippines would have little or no warning time to prepare to its defense. The island would probably be taken in a few hours or less. This scenario assumes that U.S. intelligence and its associated national technical means failed to detect signs of China’s preparations in advance, thus providing no warning time to take action to deter China. China’s seizure of Pag-asa could be expected to follow some signs of deteriorating relations between China and the Philippines or a worsening security situation in the region. These developments might signal a change in China’s intent. This would normally trigger a closer look at Chinese naval and air activities by U.S. intelligence. China’s seizure of Pag-asa Island would be an act of war. Currently, the Armed Forces of the Philippines would be unable to mount any meaningful response. Chinese destroyers and frigates would provide air defense if the Philippines scrambled jet fighters from the nearest air base on Palawan Island, over 480 km distant. The Philippine Navy would be woefully outgunned. The Philippines would immediately seek consultations with the United States under their Mutual Defense Treaty to work out a response. The political fallout from seizing Pag-asa would be a huge set back for Chinese diplomacy. ASEAN would likely adopt an uncompromising political position and demand the immediate withdrawal of Chinese forces. ASEAN would receive political backing from the international community. Chinese aggression could even be raised at the United Nation,; but China would veto any discussion by the Security Council. China’s actions in seizing Pag-asa Island would set off a race by claimant states to beef up the defense of their islands. This would likely include increased combat air patrols, anti-shipping exercises, and the deployment of conventional submarines. Several of the larger islands could be expected to house anti-ship cruise missiles. It is regrettable that Qianzhan’s conflict scenario, like so much commentary churned out by retired Chinese military officers and ultranationalists, does not go beyond the bravado of acclaiming a swift Chinese victory to consider the costs of such action to China’s international standing, damage to its economy, and the risks of escalating military conflict. Many other Chinese writers and analysts argue in support of China’s peaceful rise and support President Xi Jinping’s initiative for a China-ASEAN Treaty of Good Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation. These writers and analysts should criticize the hawkish views by retired military commentators and ultranationalist writers for being counterproductive to China’s longer-term interests. The Philippines is to be congratulated for not rising to the bait. Official spokesmen declined to comment on an article they claimed was unofficial and unverified. Chinese media have already denied the veracity of the report. source |
| To avoid criticism, write nothing, say nothing, do nothing, BE NOTHING. | |
![]() |
|
| Andres Boning | Jan 18 2014, 10:32 PM Post #35 |
|
Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
-this is the missing part- > little do we know..? "for they will come like a thief in the night!" |
![]() |
|
| Hong Nam | Jan 19 2014, 04:48 AM Post #36 |
|
Bought by China
![]()
|
"To catch a thief prowling in the night is easier than stopping the mob from breaking down the door in broad daylight." - Manuel Goded Llopis |
![]() Constructions Mecaniques de Normandie - C Sword 90 | |
![]() |
|
| pachador | Jan 31 2014, 01:54 AM Post #37 |
![]()
|
one of the five(5) so-called "combat tanks" reported in the 1980s in Pagasa island. we know of course, they were the LVTH6. This is their condition today camouflaged by vegetation ;)![]() other photos here; http://malate.wordpress.com/knockaround/pagasa-island/ Edited by pachador, Jan 31 2014, 02:00 AM.
|
![]() |
|
| 1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous) | |
| « Previous Topic · West Philippine Sea · Next Topic » |





![]](http://z1.ifrm.com/static/1/pip_r.png)







8:44 AM Jul 11