Philippines–France pact amid sea tensions
The Philippines and France signed a visiting‑forces agreement this week to allow joint military training, marking an unusual European deepening of ties in the South China Sea—Manila is clearly diversifying its security partners. The move comes as a Philippine vessel reported a near‑miss with a Chinese warship, while reports say China has stationed jets‑turned‑drones near the Taiwan Strait even as Manila and Beijing quietly resume talks on non‑sensitive sea issues and energy security ( )
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and France’s Minister for the Armed Forces and Veterans Catherine Vautrin signed the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement in Paris on March 26, 2026 at the École Militaire. (pna.gov.ph ) The Philippines’ defense ministry described the pact as providing “an adequate level of legal protection” for joint activities, language aimed at clarifying jurisdiction and liability during foreign troop visits. (manilastandard.net ) Both capitals had already discussed planned drills for 2026 during senior-level meetings in December 2025, and Philippine officials say the new agreement will help operationalize those exercises and interoperability workstreams. (pna.gov.ph ) The Armed Forces’ Western Command identified the Philippine ship involved in this week’s close maritime encounter as BRP Benguet (LS-507) and said the People’s Liberation Army Navy vessel carried hull number 532 during the March 25 incident near Pag‑asa (Thitu) Island. (pna.gov.ph ) (news.usni.org ) Separately, Manila reported that a Chinese corvette directed its fire‑control radar at BRP Miguel Malvar during a March 7 patrol near Sabina Shoal — an action the Philippine military called “alarming” and “provocative.” (news.usni.org ) (marketscreener.com ) A February “China Airpower Tracker” update from the Mitchell Institute shows lines of converted J‑6 airframes at six forward bases — five in Fujian province and one in Guangdong — and the institute’s senior fellow estimated “200 or more” legacy fighters repurposed as attack drones. (mitchellaerospacepower.org ) (usnews.com ) Manila and Beijing convened the 24th Philippines‑China Foreign Ministry Consultations alongside the 11th Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea in Quanzhou, Fujian on March 28, 2026 to explore cooperation on “non‑sensitive” areas and energy security after more than a year without formal BCM meetings. (bloomberg.com ) (pna.gov.ph )
