The Chinese flag is pictured in front of the facade of the Chinese embassy in Berlin on April 22, 2024. John Macdougall, AFP/File

MANILA – The reported deployment of China's bombers in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea is "expected" amid the visit of US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to the Philippines, analysts said on Saturday.

Based on a Reuters report on Friday, satellite images showed Beijing deployed two long-range H-6 bombers around Bajo de Masinloc – which came ahead of Hegseth's visit.

Geopolitical analyst Don McLain Gill said this just showed "China is not happy."

"It is frustrated with the fact that the Philippines is stepping up in ensuring that it has the capacity to defend its sovereignty and sovereign rights and working with countries who also share the same goals and objectives," said Gill in a chance interview with reporters.

"Definitely, being an expansionist power, China will not take this happily, therefore it is a show of frustration," he added.

China: 'No problem with freedom of navigation in South China Sea'

Prof. Renato de Castro, an international relations expert, said Beijing's reaction is expected and is only for optics.

"Very strong talaga yung nangyari, yung joint statement ng DND tsaka ng US department na mag-deploy ng missile," said De Castro in a Saturday news forum.

"The Chinese are expected to react, they have to cater to their population. Ipapakita nila na tine-threaten tayo so we have to do certain actions, like sending two bombers sa panatag shpoal and expect a live fire exercise. Kumbaga pinapakita ng Tsina na 'hindi kami papasindak sa inyo,'" he added.

The Philippines, he said, is entitled to strengthen its defense system.

ABS-CBN News reached out to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to confirm the presence of China's bombers in the West Philippine Sea but its spokesperson has yet to respond.

On Friday, the US and the Philippines agreed that one of the key initiatives to accelerate its longstanding defense partnership is the deployment of more advanced US military capabilities in the Philippines.

US, Philippines must stand 'shoulder to shoulder' in face of China threat: Hegseth

This includes the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS)—a mobile, ground-based anti-ship missile launcher—and highly capable unmanned surface vessels.

The training and testing of NMESIS will also be integrated into the upcoming Balikatan exercises, the annual joint military drills between Philippine and US forces.

Hegseth told President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on Friday, that the two countries must stand "shoulder to shoulder" in the face of the threat represented by China.

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