South China Sea Photo: VCG

A senior Philippine military official has called on India and South Korea to join the "Squad," an informal multilateral grouping made up of Australia, Japan, the Philippines and the United States. A Chinese expert described the move as a reflection of Manila's anxiety and a risky bet to embolden itself by drawing external powers into the region.

Philippines' Armed Forces Chief General Romeo S. Brawner raised the idea during the Raisina Dialogue security forum in New Delhi on Wednesday, as reported by Philippine media outlet GMA Network.

According to GMA Network, Brawner stated that the Philippines is making efforts to enhance its  "deterrence capabilities," including by working with partners in the "Squad," which he said was an informal collaboration between the four nations on military aspects, intelligence sharing, and joint exercises and operations.

"Together with Japan and our partners we are trying to expand the Squad to include India and probably South Korea," Brawner stated during a panel discussion attended by Japan's top military official, India's Navy chief, the US Indo-Pacific Command's commander, and Australia's chief of Joint Operations, according to GMA Network.

According to the Times of India, Brawner claimed China employed "illegal, coercive and disruptive Grey Zone" tactics in the South China Sea. 

Ding Duo, director of the Research Center for International and Regional Studies at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times that Brawner's remarks reflect Manila's anxiety and its proactive attempt to counter China by courting external powers.

In addition to China' countermeasures and actions to safeguard its rights in the South China Sea, Manila is also concerned that with US administration's "America First" policy, Washington might reduce its commitment to regional security affairs.

Ding highlighted that Brawner's push to include India and South Korea in the "Squad" signals Manila's intent to reach out beyond traditional allies like the US and Japan. By forging a broader security network with additional regional players, the Philippines attempts to embolden itself further for provoking China.

Brawner's comments also reflect Manila's broader policy of countering China through small cliques and small security mechanisms, Ding said. "Yet, with no official response from the Philippine government, this could also be a trial balloon to test the reactions of various parties."

Spokespersons of the Indian defense ministry and the embassies of South Korea and China did not immediately respond to requests for comment, said the GMA Network.

The media further reported that Brawner told journalists that Manila and New Delhi have a common enemy… "And I'm not afraid to say that China is our common enemy." 

He added that he was scheduled to meet India's Chief of Defense Staff, General Anil Chauhan, to discuss India's potential inclusion in the "Squad." However, there's no official confirmation from India, the Mint said. 

Analysts suggest that India and South Korea are likely to approach the proposal with caution, as they have their own strategic consideration and interests pursuit. 

"Though India has border disputes with China, joining a confrontational framework led by other nations would disrupt its balanced regional strategy," Ding said. Similarly, South Korea, facing security challenges on the Korean Peninsula and maintaining close economic ties with China, would likely find involvement in such an framework unwise.

Ding further argued that Manila lacks the strategic influence to persuade India and South Korea to join the group.
In contrast to the Philippines, China and most ASEAN members have continuously prioritized maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea.

During a press conference on the sidelines of the annual two sessions on March 7, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told reporters that the Philippines' moves to create frictions in the South China Sea are just "shadow play" to smear China, with the screenplay written by external forces and the show livestreamed by Western media.

Infringement and provocation will backfire and those acting as others' chess pieces are bound to be discarded, Wang said.