The Philippines has taken diplomatic action by summoning China’s envoy to address what it perceives as “aggressive actions” in the South China Sea over the weekend. Manila’s defense minister has also issued a bold challenge to Beijing, inviting them to solidify their extensive sovereignty assertions through international arbitration.
According to the Philippine foreign ministry, the incident involved China’s coastguard allegedly deploying water cannon against a civilian boat supplying troops at the Second Thomas Shoal, resulting in damage to the vessel and injuries to some crew members. This altercation is the latest in a series of tensions escalating over the past year.
In response to these events, the Philippine government summoned the charge d’affaires of the Chinese embassy and lodged a diplomatic protest in Beijing. The ministry emphasized that China’s actions disrupt the Philippines’ routine and lawful activities within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), constituting an infringement upon its sovereign rights and jurisdiction. Manila demanded the withdrawal of Chinese vessels from the area.
China, on the other hand, asserts its sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea, including the Second Thomas Shoal, which falls within the Philippines’ EEZ. The Philippines strategically grounded an aging warship at the shoal in 1999 to bolster its territorial claims and has maintained a small military presence there since then.
Despite a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration rejecting China’s claims in a case initiated by Manila, China has refused to acknowledge the verdict. Philippine security officials convened to discuss the recent incident and formulate recommendations for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. regarding the ongoing dispute.
In response to China’s perceived aggression, the Philippines has remained steadfast in its commitment to upholding its sovereignty. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro suggested that China should seek arbitration under international law to substantiate its maritime claims instead of resorting to ambiguity and intimidation tactics.
These tensions coincide with the Philippines’ efforts to strengthen its ties with defense treaty ally, the United States, which includes plans to enhance base access for U.S. troops and expand joint military exercises. Such developments have been met with suspicion by China.
The Philippines’ stance on the matter reflects its determination to address what it sees as Chinese hostility while advocating for peaceful resolution through established legal channels. However, the situation remains delicate, with both sides urged to exercise restraint to prevent further escalation of tensions in the region.
