'We tried accommodating China in the past, it didn't work, so now...': Philippines Armed Forces chief tells Firstpost

In an exclusive conversation with Anmol Singla from Firstpost, General Romeo Brawner Jr., the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), laid bare the escalating stakes in the South China Sea.

Speaking on Friday, on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue, Brawner painted a picture of a nation no longer willing to "accommodate" its way into a corner, instead choosing a path of firm assertion backed by a growing network of global allies — with India emerging as a pivotal new partner.

The frontline: "Coercion is a daily reality"

The interview comes at a moment of extreme friction. Just last month, the 15th Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) was concluded from February 20-26, where Philippine, US, and Japanese forces were tailed by Chinese warships.

Just days ago, on March 3, the Philippine vessels Datu Cabaylo and Datu Sunday were once again targeted by the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) near Scarborough Shoal.

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Reports of water cannons and dangerous manoeuvres have become the grim rhythm of the West Philippine Sea.

"China’s coercive actions are happening on a daily basis," Brawner told Firstpost. He detailed a relentless campaign of "grey-zone" tactics, where Chinese divers and coast guard vessels actively interfere with Philippine operations within their own Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

"We see the Chinese Coast Guard using water cannons against our vessels and even against our divers," Brawner remarked. "They really want to dominate the South China Sea with their large coast guard presence."

This "expansionist goals" agenda, as Brawner describes it, has forced Manila to pivot. The General was candid about the failure of past diplomatic strategies.

Referencing partly to Raisina Dialogue’s theme of "Accommodation," Brawner noted that for the Philippines, that word carries the weight of a failed experiment.

"Accommodation is somewhat questionable for us, because that was the strategy we tried in the past with China, and it did not work. So now we are firmly asserting our rights."

The India-Philippines axis: From BrahMos to battleships

One of the most significant shifts in Philippine defence policy has been its deepening "Advancement" through ties with New Delhi.

Historically, Manila’s security was anchored almost exclusively to Washington. However, 2025 and early 2026 have seen a "Look East" policy that finally includes India as a major security provider.

Brawner highlighted his recent interactions with India’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan. The results of that synergy have been immediate.

"I visited General Anil Chauhan and spoke to him about our participation in joint activities in the South China Sea. He responded very positively," Brawner shared.

"Within four months, India sent four ships. Because of that, we were able to conduct joint activities."

This maritime cooperation is the visible tip of a much deeper iceberg. The Philippines is currently integrating the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system — the $375 million deal that made Manila the first export customer for the Indo-Russian weapon.

As the AFP transitions to its Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept, these missiles are expected to provide a credible "shore-to-ship" deterrent against any potential invasion or further encroachment.

When asked if Manila was also planning to purchase India's indigenous HAL Tejas fighter jets in the future, Brawner revealed to Firstpost that "we are definitely working on it."

Navigating "America First" 2.0 under Trump

The conversation inevitably turned to the second Trump administration. With United States President Donald Trump’s return to the White House, many in the Indo-Pacific have voiced concerns over a potential shift in US commitment to regional security.

However, Brawner expressed a measured optimism. He noted that the Philippines remains high on the list of US priorities, as reflected in their national security strategy which emphasizes the Pacific network of alliances.

"We remain committed to our alliance with the United States. We have a Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with them," Brawner stated, pointing out the legal obligation for mutual support in the event of an attack.

Addressing the "Trumpian" demand for allies to contribute more, Brawner was direct, "Despite some criticisms of President Trump’s policies, he has said that all countries must do their part, and we are doing our part as well."

The Philippines has indeed been "doing its part," with its defence budget projected to hit 3.3 per cent of GDP in 2026 — a record high aimed at modernising its naval and aerial capabilities.

When asked about reports that the US might be prioritising the Philippines over Taiwan, Brawner reframed the narrative.

"I don’t think it is really a shift away from Taiwan. Rather, it is increased support for the Philippines because we are on the frontline when it comes to confronting Chinese expansion," he said.

The West Asia ripple

While the South China Sea is a territorial battle, the escalating conflict in West Asia poses an existential threat to the Philippine economy and its people.

The world watched in shock earlier this week, on March 4, when a US submarine sank the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena off the coast of Sri Lanka — an incident that occurred shortly after the ship participated in India's MILAN 2026 naval exercises.

This strike has ignited a fresh firestorm in the already war-like scenario in West Asia comprising Israel, Iran, and the United States, with the Gulf States also being hit.

For Brawner, this isn't just a matter of geopolitics; it's about the safety of two million Filipinos working in the Gulf region.

"Our main concern is their safety and security," Brawner said.

"At the same time, we are closely monitoring the conflict to understand how it may evolve... fuel prices have already gone up. In the Philippines, we are already seeing the impact."

Indeed, in Manila, the government is already mulling emergency tax cuts on petroleum and "energy-saving" measures, such as shorter work weeks, as inflation hit a 13-month high this February.

The General’s warning was clear: a prolonged conflict in West Asia could cripple global supply chains, hitting emerging economies like the Philippines the hardest.

Watch the full conversation with Firstpost here:

The 11th edition of the Raisina Dialogue was held from March 5, 2026 to March 7, 2026 in New Delhi. Firstpost has partnered with the Raisina Dialogue to bring exclusive conversations with global leaders to you.

The Raisina Dialogue is India’s flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-economics, hosted by the Observer Research Foundation in collaboration with India’s Ministry of External Affairs.