The U.S. Department of Defense has confirmed the involvement of American troops in supporting Philippine operations in the South China Sea through the newly revealed U.S. Task Force Ayungin. 

This task force was publicly disclosed after U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III shared details on X, raising awareness of the American role in the region.

However, Philippine security officials quickly clarified that the scope of U.S. support is limited to providing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) assistance. 

There is no “direct participation” by American forces in key Philippine operations, such as resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal (also known as Second Thomas Shoal), an area that remains a flashpoint in the ongoing South China Sea dispute.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) confirmed the presence of the U.S. task force in Palawan, underscoring that it operates under the AFP’s Western Command (WESCOM). 

In a statement, AFP Public Affairs Office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad explained: “U.S. troops in Palawan provide technical assistance through the information-sharing group within the Command and Control Fusion Center in Western Command.” 

He emphasized that this support is crucial for improving the Philippines’ maritime domain awareness, which helps safeguard the country’s interests in the West Philippine Sea, the official designation used by the Philippine government for parts of the South China Sea that fall within the country’s exclusive economic zone.

National Security Adviser Eduardo Año reiterated that Task Force Ayungin is “internal” to the U.S. and plays a non-combat role in supporting AFP operations.

“As for us, we remain the same, and it’s the WESCOM that’s in charge,” Año said. He added that while the U.S. provides ISR and other forms of support, the Philippine military, alongside entities like the Philippine Coast Guard, is solely responsible for operations, including supply missions to Ayungin Shoal.

In a visit to Palawan on November 19, Austin praised the efforts of U.S. Task Force Ayungin personnel, thanking them for their contributions on behalf of the American people and regional alliances. He underscored the importance of these contributions to the broader goals of regional stability and security.

What is U.S. Task Force Ayungin doing in Palawan?

According to Año, U.S. Task Force Ayungin is providing support to Philippine forces in the country’s maritime zones but will not directly join missions in the West Philippine Sea. 

Further clarifying the U.S. role, U.S. embassy spokesperson Kanishka Gangopadhyay described the task force’s support as enhancing U.S.-Philippine alliance coordination. 

“Task Force Ayungin enhances U.S.-Philippine Alliance coordination and interoperability by enabling U.S. forces to support Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) activities in the South China Sea,” he said.

Gangopadhyay said this initiative aligns with multiple lines of cooperation between U.S. and Philippine forces, including the Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board process and the Bantay Dagat framework, “in addition to our long-standing shared efforts to address regional challenges, foster stability, and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific region”.

The task force’s operations come at a time of heightened tensions in the South China Sea, especially at Ayungin Shoal, where the Philippines maintains an outpost on the BRP Sierra Madre, a World War II-era ship deliberately grounded to assert its presence. 

China’s repeated attempts to disrupt resupply missions, including violent incidents in June, prompted the U.S. to join in the international condemnation of these actions.

On June 17, Chinese ships repeatedly collided with Philippine boats during a resupply mission, intensifying the confrontation. The violent attack caused a Filipino sailor to lose a finger.

Ayungin Shoal, located 105 nautical miles west of Palawan, is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone but is claimed by China. The Philippines has consistently resisted China’s expansive territorial claims, which were declared invalid by a 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling. 

The ongoing conflict over these waters continues to strain relations, with China seeking to expand its influence at the expense of Philippine sovereignty.

In recent months, the U.S. has signaled its readiness to assist the Philippines in maritime operations. U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Chief Admiral Samuel Paparo suggested that American forces might escort Philippine missions in the region, a move that would align with the Mutual Defense Treaty.

However, AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner stressed that the Philippines will “first rely on ourselves” before seeking external assistance.

Calls to end aggression

The rising tensions in the region have sparked heated exchanges between China and the Philippines. 

In a direct response to Chinese claims that the Philippines is escalating maritime disputes, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela emphasized that China’s provocations, such as the occupation of Mischief Reef in 1995 and resistance to Philippine legal actions, have led to the current situation. 

On X, Tarriela called for China to cease its aggressive actions to avoid further turmoil in the South China Sea.

The Philippines continues to strengthen security ties with like-minded nations to safeguard its sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea. As Tarriela pointed out, “If China halts its provocations and infringements, the situation in the South China Sea will not face further turmoil”. 

His remarks followed a statement from Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian, who blamed the Philippines for escalating tensions — a claim firmly rejected by Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, who reaffirmed the Philippines’ stance as a “victim of Chinese aggression”.

As the situation in the South China Sea remains volatile, cooperation between U.S. and Philippine forces is poised to play a crucial role in safeguarding Philippine sovereignty while managing escalating tensions in one of the world’s most contested maritime regions.

Photo credit: Department of National Defense. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III (center in dark jacket) and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. toured the Command and Control Fusion Center, Western Command, and Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan on November 19, 2024.