Congressional Committee Presses State Department to Support Philippine Maritime Programs

A U.S. congressional committee has urged the State Department to ensure continued financial support for the Philippines in response to ongoing maritime tensions in the South China Sea. In a recent letter addressed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, members of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party expressed concern over potential reductions in funding that supports Philippine maritime law enforcement capabilities.
The letter notes that the proposed 2026 budget for the International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement (INCLE) program includes a significant cut that could affect initiatives aimed at assisting the Philippine Coast Guard. Lawmakers warned that reduced funding could limit the Philippines’ ability to respond to maritime challenges, particularly in areas where its claims overlap with those of China.
Tensions in the region have increased following recent developments near Scarborough Shoal, a disputed area in the South China Sea. According to the committee, Chinese coast guard and maritime militia vessels have been involved in multiple encounters with Philippine ships, including incidents involving physical obstruction and the use of water cannons.
China asserts sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea and maintains that its enforcement activities in the area are lawful. Philippine authorities have contested these actions, describing them as dangerous and destabilising.
The letter highlights that any weakening of support for Philippine maritime enforcement could have implications for U.S. strategic interests in the region. While the United States has stated that its alliance with the Philippines remains strong, the specifics of how much of the $336 million U.S. allocation for Philippine defence modernisation will support maritime operations are not fully disclosed.
Lawmakers also referenced China’s recent announcement to establish a national nature reserve at Scarborough Shoal, which some view as an effort to strengthen its territorial claims. The committee noted that such actions could heighten the risk of confrontation and potentially invoke the 1951 Mutual Defence Treaty between the United States and the Philippines. The treaty was updated in 2023 to clarify that it includes protection against armed attacks on Philippine Coast Guard vessels within the South China Sea.
The letter was signed by Representatives Greg Stanton, Seth Moulton, and Raja Krishnamoorthi. There has been no immediate public response from the U.S. State Department or the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs regarding the committee’s request.