Experts urge stepped‑up U.S. maritime support after Philippines standoff in South China Sea
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Summary
Witnesses and members at a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee hearing said increased maritime capacity‑building, Coast Guard funding and partner basing support are essential after the Philippines’ extended resupply standoff at Second Thomas Shoal.
Gregory Poling told the subcommittee that recent incidents in the South China Sea, including a prolonged Philippines effort to resupply and repair the BRP Sierra Madre on Second Thomas Shoal, illustrate the limits of small‑state maritime capacity against China’s coercive gray‑zone tactics.
“The Philippines engaged in a nearly year and a half long standoff with China from 2023 to 2024 in order to resupply and repair its facility, the BRP Sierra Madre on Second Thomas Shoal,” Poling said. “By December 2023, The Philippines was sailing 2 to 3 ships up against 50 Chinese vessels, didn't blink … and it was China that blinked, not The Philippines.”
Poling and members used the episode to press for more maritime and coast‑guard support that does not necessarily mean U.S. boots on the ground but does include funding, forward‑deployed cutters, uncrewed platforms and capacity building for partner navies and coast guards.
Representative Mackenzie and other members asked about sites such as Subic Bay and what capabilities should be prepositioned. Poling recommended asymmetric capabilities for frontline states — citing missile and long‑range strike pairings and shore‑based systems — and said increased uncrewed platforms, “more cheap vessels,” and basing support for partners would enhance deterrence.
The role of the U.S. Coast Guard featured prominently. Poling and members said the Coast Guard is a strategic instrument in addressing gray‑zone coercion through training, presence and ship‑riding arrangements in some Pacific jurisdictions. Poling cautioned the Coast Guard is stretched thin and emphasized funding as the primary constraint to expanded engagement.
Why it matters: Witnesses framed maritime capacity and law‑enforcement cooperation as essential to preserving freedom of navigation and upholding international law in the face of coercion. They urged Congress to consider sustained funding for security sector assistance roadmaps and Coast Guard deployments that build partner capacity without requiring American ground forces.
The subcommittee closed without formal votes but requested additional materials from witnesses and flagged maritime funding and assistance as priorities for follow‑up work.