The “assertive transparency” tactic employed by the Philippines to expose China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea has proven to be effective, according to a recent defense and security paper published by the Stratbase ADR Institute for Strategic and International Studies. This tactic involves using visual evidence to publicly shame China and bring attention to its actions in the disputed waters.
The study, titled “Game Changer: The Philippines’ Assertive Transparency Campaign Against China (How the Philippines Rewrote the Counter Gray Zone Playbook),” highlights the significance of this approach in the increasingly contentious and dangerous global gray zone fight. Gray zone tactics refer to the use of nonmilitary means to achieve political objectives.
The authors of the paper, retired United States Air Force colonel Raymond Powell and Dr. Benjamin Goirigolzarri, emphasize that assertive transparency should be seen as one important tactic within a larger strategy to bring about a behavioral change in China’s approach to the territorial dispute with the Philippines.
To maximize the effectiveness of this “novel information operations campaign,” the Philippine government, under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., should consider three key conditions. Firstly, national resilience should be prioritized to support the long-term gray zone contest. Secondly, Manila should actively seek international support and impose reputational costs on Beijing.
The study acknowledges that the first two conditions have already yielded substantial gains for the Philippines. However, it cautions against assuming that assertive transparency alone will be sufficient to secure the West Philippine Sea. While the impacts of this tactic have been impressive, it is premature to determine whether it will serve as a strong deterrent against China’s actions.
Critics of the assertive transparency operation, such as Herman Tiu Laurel, president of the Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute (ACPSSI), argue that it has not achieved the desired impact. Laurel points out that most Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states continue to maintain close ties with Beijing while distancing themselves from the Philippines’ agenda in the South China Sea.
Laurel also highlights the limited international support garnered by the assertive transparency campaign. Despite efforts by the Stanford-based Project Myuoshu, led by Powell, only a small number of United States allies have actively shown concern and support for the operation and propaganda against China.
It is worth noting that while the assertive transparency campaign has faced challenges in building international support, it has managed to draw attention to China’s activities in the West Philippine Sea. For example, Indonesia recently announced its readiness to finalize the long-delayed Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, indirectly countering the Philippines’ plan for a separate code with Vietnam and Malaysia.
In conclusion, the Philippines’ assertive transparency campaign has played a significant role in exposing China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea. While it may not have achieved all of its intended outcomes, it has succeeded in bringing international attention to the issue. As the territorial dispute continues, it is crucial for the Philippines to maintain a comprehensive strategy that includes assertive transparency as one tactic among many to secure its interests in the region.
Source: The Manila Times
