BATANES, Philippines — When the thunderous blades of military helicopters first swept across the skies of Batanes in April 2023, many islanders thought war had begun. “We were terrified,” recalled 65-year-old Marilyn Hubalde, who runs a small store in Basco, the provincial capital. “We thought China might attack when they learned there were military exercises here.”
The drills, involving Filipino and American troops conducting amphibious warfare operations, were part of the Balikatan (“shoulder-to-shoulder”) joint exercises. For the people of Batanes — a cluster of ten windswept islands less than 90 miles from Taiwan — it was the first sign that their tranquil homeland had become a strategic flashpoint in the intensifying U.S.-China rivalry.
From Remote Province to Strategic Frontline
Until recently, Batanes was known for its serene landscapes and close-knit community of 20,000 residents. But its position at the southern edge of the Bashi Channel — a vital waterway connecting the South China Sea with the Western Pacific — has made it a focal point of military planning.
Between April and June this year, U.S. forces twice airlifted ground-based anti-ship missile systems into Batanes as part of joint exercises with the Philippines. These weapons, designed to deny Chinese naval access to the Pacific, could be used to block a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan or break a blockade against the self-governing island.
“We must have the ability to deny the Chinese control of the Bashi Channel,” said retired Rear Admiral Rommel Ong, former vice-commander of the Philippine Navy. “That decisive point will determine who wins or loses in a conflict scenario.”
Retired General Emmanuel Bautista, former Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, put it more bluntly: “The invasion of Taiwan is almost impossible if you don’t control the northern Philippines.”
Beijing Warns Manila
China considers Taiwan an inseparable part of its territory and has vowed to use force if necessary to bring it under Beijing’s control. “The Taiwan issue is China’s internal affair,” the Chinese foreign ministry said in response to questions from Reuters, warning Manila “against using any pretext to draw in external forces.”
The Pentagon did not respond to queries on its Batanes operations, and Taiwan’s defense ministry declined to comment.
The “First Island Chain” Strategy
U.S. deployments to Batanes form part of a broader Pentagon strategy to fortify the First Island Chain — a string of territories stretching from Japan through Taiwan and the Philippines to Borneo — which serves as a natural containment line around China’s expanding navy.
“By divine design, the Philippine archipelago is the toll gate between the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean,” said Rear Admiral Roy Trinidad, spokesperson for the Philippine Navy.
Washington appears determined to help Manila “keep the gate closed.” Despite initial skepticism from some Asian allies about President Donald Trump’s commitment to regional security, the U.S. has intensified its military cooperation with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration.
Over 500 joint military engagements — from large-scale war games to expert exchanges — are planned for 2026, according to official U.S. military sources. “We maintain a robust rotational force presence,” said U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, emphasizing that exercises with the Philippines are now longer and more frequent.
Marcos, acknowledging his nation’s vulnerability, said: “If there is a war over Taiwan, we will be drawn into that mess — kicking and screaming, but inevitably.”
Growing Chinese Pressure
Recent Chinese naval maneuvers underscore the stakes. In June, a Chinese aircraft carrier group sailed through the Bashi Channel into the Western Pacific, conducting extensive drills before returning to the South China Sea. Manila has accused Beijing of “gray-zone warfare” — harassment that stops short of open conflict — including unauthorized naval incursions near Batanes.
“China’s actions are rooted in its ambition to change the global rules-based order,” said the Philippine defense ministry, calling the intrusions “acts of intimidation.”
Preparing for the Unthinkable
Locals in Batanes, once alarmed by the sight of foreign troops and missile systems, are now cautiously adapting to their island’s new role. Governor Ronald “Jun” Aguto Jr. said that after initial panic buying and confusion, residents have come to understand the military’s presence. Yet, he admits that contingency plans are being drafted in case war breaks out across the Taiwan Strait.
“There are around 200,000 Filipinos in Taiwan,” Aguto said. “In the event of conflict, we may need to use Batanes as a launch pad to bring them home.”
The Philippine military confirms it is preparing for scenarios that include large-scale evacuations, humanitarian operations, and even managing refugees from Taiwan.
A New Era of Military Coordination
This year’s drills featured U.S. Marines deploying NMESIS missile launchers capable of firing stealthy Naval Strike Missiles with a range of over 300 kilometers. The systems, officials said, are “designed to close a strait.”
U.S. and Philippine troops practiced seizing and defending key terrain, airports, and ports across the islands. Just days later, China’s Shandong aircraft carrier battle group transited the same waters — a stark reminder of the region’s fragile peace.
In addition, the U.S. Army deployed its Typhon missile launcher system to Luzon, south of Batanes, armed with Tomahawk cruise missiles capable of striking deep into mainland China. Beijing condemned the deployment as “very dangerous,” accusing Washington and Manila of undermining regional stability.
Philippine military officials insist the systems are temporary and used solely for training and deterrence, not directed against any specific country.
Local Anxiety, National Resolve
For many residents, memories of World War II — when Japanese troops invaded Batanes hours after attacking Pearl Harbor — loom large. “History could repeat itself,” warned Florencio Abad, a former cabinet minister and long-time resident. “We must think about survival — food, water, and isolation if war cuts us off.”
Store owner Marilyn Hubalde echoes that sentiment: “We rely on shipments for everything. If war stops those, we’ll have to grow our own food again. We really need to start planting.”
Despite growing unease, officials in Manila remain resolute. “If Beijing doesn’t like what we’re doing,” said retired Admiral Ong, “that means we’re doing it right.”
With the U.S.-China contest intensifying across the Pacific, the once-sleepy islands of Batanes now find themselves on the frontlines — a small but critical chess piece in a great-power rivalry that could shape the future of Asia.
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