Batanes: The Strategic Jewel in the US-China Power Struggle

Marilyn Hubalde vividly recalls the first time military helicopters roared overhead in the northern Philippines, back in April 2023. The sight marked the start of joint war drills by US and Filipino troops in Batanes, a peaceful province that now finds itself on the frontline of the US-China geopolitical struggle.

Amid these tensions and repeated military exercises in the region, the islands' 20,000 residents are adapting to the reality of high-stakes international maneuvers in their once quiet surroundings. The strategic location of Batanes plays a pivotal role in preventing Chinese naval forces from accessing the Western Pacific, possibly impacting attempts on Taiwan.

With fears of conflict looming, local leaders and residents are taking steps to prepare their community for disruptions. The military presence underscores Batanes' strategic importance, with potential war-making it imperative for residents to rethink survival strategies amidst a backdrop of regional power plays.