Marcos Strengthens Philippine Holdings

The Philippines is strengthening its presence in the disputed Spratly Islands through construction projects on Pag-asa (Thitu) and Lawak (Nansen) Islands, making remote positions easier to reach, supply, and sustain.

These initiatives, administered by the Philippines as part of the Kalayaan municipality in Palawan, include a runway extension on Pag-asa and sheltered harbors on both islands, designed to overcome logistical challenges in maintaining personnel and supply chains.

Satellite imagery captured on August 14th revealed a fully enclosed harbor basin on Pag-asa Island's northwestern coast, alongside continuing reclamation efforts at the eastern end of its runway.

While significant physical progress is evident, analysts caution that such visual confirmation does not automatically equate to immediate operational status, as technical inspections are required to confirm the facilities are ready for full-scale use.

The Philippine government has allocated over 3 billion pesos for island development projects, with 1.65 billion pesos designated for the Pag-asa airport expansion and an additional 300 million pesos for a sheltered port on Pag-asa.

Furthermore, 1.08 billion pesos have been allocated for a sheltered port on Lawak Island, with plans to expand Pag-asa's runway from 1.3 km to approximately 1.5 km.

The improved transport capabilities from the island upgrades are crucial for delivering medical supplies, providing emergency assistance, and ensuring the consistent flow of daily essential goods to residents.

Sheltered harbors are expected to mitigate risks associated with adverse weather conditions, which frequently disrupt existing supply chains.

Pag-asa functions as a permanent municipality, supporting civilian residents, schools, and utility services, a point underscored by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. during his visit on the 10th anniversary of the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award.

By facilitating maritime law enforcement, surveillance, and environmental protection, the new Pag-asa command establishes a long-term governance footprint for the Philippines, as Transport Secretary Giovani Lopez described at its inauguration.

This command will focus on maritime law enforcement, surveillance, environmental protection, and will also provide crucial search and rescue capabilities and assistance to local fishermen.

Upgrading logistics in Pag-asa and Lawak ensures the communications and transport support necessary to shift Manila from occasional visits to a lasting regional footprint, according to the government's strategic intent.

The projects on Pag-asa and Lawak focus on supporting personnel and patrol vessels, representing expected improvements in endurance for existing positions rather than immediate, guaranteed future capabilities.

Lawak Island faces distinct logistical challenges due to its smaller size and the absence of a permanent civilian community like that on Pag-asa, leading to more limited existing infrastructure.

Although construction for a sheltered port is underway, it remains in an early stage, with shallow waters and narrow approaches currently restricting vessel access and the efficient unloading of cargo; a completed port is anticipated to significantly improve supply chain efficiency for Philippine agencies.

Since 1999, the BRP Sierra Madre has been grounded at Ayungin Shoal, making regular resupply missions vital but highly vulnerable to external interference.

Harrison Prétat of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative links these infrastructure projects directly to the heightened tensions observed between approximately 2021 and 2024, as stronger local infrastructure serves as a hedge against contested or dangerous supply routes.

Pag-asa is strategically located near Subi Reef (Zamora Reef), where China operates a massive, integrated network of seven reclaimed reefs with extensive installations.

The Philippine projects are modest in comparison and do not aim to close the significant strategic gap with China's facilities; instead, Manila's objective is to increase the endurance of its already controlled positions rather than competing in overall infrastructure scale.

Beijing rejects Philippine construction, deeming it an unlawful violation of Nansha Qundao, while Manila asserts that the development supports Filipinos operating within its own territory.

DND spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong defended these projects in May, invoking the 2016 arbitral ruling as final and legally binding on all parties, though the tribunal addressed maritime entitlements without formally resolving land sovereignty or drawing maritime boundaries.