For a half-century, Philippine soldiers deployed on the southwestern edge of the country have been dedicated to squashing separatist movements led by Islamist rebels. Now, the troops here are being retrained to confront what their leaders see as a different and urgent threat: China.
Chinese forces in the South China Sea, a strategic waterway claimed in part by the Philippines and six other governments, have become increasingly assertive, not only posing a threat to Philippine security but also challenging a Western-led effort to contain China’s power in the wider region, according to Philippine leaders and Western security analysts.
