Mahatao, part of the Batanes group of islands, is considered by the Philippine Navy and the Pentagon as “a strategic choke point” in the event of a US-China Taiwan-related confontasi. 

The Philippine Navy Northern Command says, “(The Batanes group of islands) serves as a hub for territorial defense, maritime domain awareness, and humanitarian assistance and disaster response.” This tiny island powder keg is a potential catalyst for a full-blown US-China-Taiwan-related war.

In April, the United States deployed a NMESIS anti-ship missile system to Batanes during joint exercises with Philippine forces. The NMESIS is a “ground-based (anti-ship) launcher equipped with two missiles.” (Source: Newsweek, 12 June 2025)

Such defense weapons may perhaps be left behind after joint exercises. It is a subtle way of preparing for war. It is part of the US Marine Corps’ maritime strategy in the Pacific, where China is expanding its naval presence. 

However, the NMESIS missile requires rigid technical training for Filipino soldiers to use them, about which we have no information, as this is delicate high-security intel information. Perhaps, the US soldiers will use them instead as a last resort.

Chinese high-definition satellites reveal the Philippines’ new forward operating bases, including “two helipads and a small dock with a launch slipway, as well as multiple ships.” Clearly, China is monitoring activities in real time (24/7) as part of its critical intel effort in the area in preparation for a confrontation. 

A Chinese website posted on 2 September 2025 a photo showing “new helipads, a small dock, and a launch slipway for moving boats in and out of the water. Several vessels could also be seen docked near or behind the base’s three main buildings.” (Source: Chinese website care of “Mizar Vision” = High-definition satellite exposure of the Philippines new… MizarVision --Weibo).

This intel info in the hands of China reflects the growing preparations for a US-China war. 

However, that confrontation as a possible war scenario is unpredictable, because both the US and China have “secret weapons” we do not know anything about. It is enough that this article’s goal is to report what data is available in cyberspace.

China’s arrogant reaction to the joint Philippine-US joint exercises and the NMESIS missiles was to repeatedly demand the removal of these US assets, which was obviously ignored by the Philippines and the US. 

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on 8 August 2025 said, “The Philippines has kept making wrong and provocative remarks and actions, kept fudging and hollowing out the one-China principle, and kept harming China-Philippines relations. China firmly opposes this.” 

The key to good Philippine-China relations is goodwill and benevolence on the part of China.

Three large Chinese coast guard vessels were reported encircling Batanes after the US-Philippine joint exercises when the NMESIS were deployed, ship-tracking data from the Philippine-US team showed.

In an interview with Firstpost, an Indian news agency, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said, “If there is a confrontation over Taiwan between China and the United States, there is no way that the Philippines can stay out of it, simply because of our physical geographic location.” Marcos’ statement clearly showed the pro-American stance of the Philippine government. 

China is preparing for the next Philippine presidential election, hoping their puppet Sara Duterte will win. They will pour vast funds to buy both Congress upstairs and the masses downstairs to do so. 

Since Marcos Jr. can no longer run for president, it is still unknown who will emerge as Sara’s nemesis, who will surely be propped up by US funds and influence, and supported by the growing anti-Duterte social media. 

There are rumors of a military coup, but these are perhaps just saber-rattling. At this point, it is better not to speculate. We are headed towards another proxy war.