Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr is resolute to address what he dubbed as dangerous provocations by the Chinese coast guard and suspected militia sea vessels in the disputed South China Sea. He asserted Filipinos stand strong and will not back down in the face of these challenges.
However, President Marcos did not elucidated regarding the actions his government plans to take in response to these untoward events. Nevertheless, he ensured of taking proportional, deliberate, and reasonable measures in addressing the current aggressive actions by Chinese ships.
Marcos emphasized that while the Philippines seeks peaceful relations with all nations, including China, it will not tolerate coercion or aggression. He made these remarks on X, formerly Twitter, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.
Tensions have been escalating between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea, where multiple countries have overlapping territorial claims. These disputes have led to minor collisions between vessels and strained diplomatic relations in the region.
The Chinese government has yet to respond publicly to Marcos’s warning. However, China’s defense ministry accused the Philippines of escalating tensions in the South China Sea through provocative actions and spreading misinformation.
Both China and the Philippines assert their sovereignty over the disputed waters. China has emphasized its commitment to managing maritime disputes, while Marcos stated that he has been in contact with international allies willing to assist the Philippines.
Following consultations with top defense and national security officials, Marcos is considering various recommendations, including the use of faster military vessels instead of civilian boats in delivering personnel and supplies to disputed areas like the Second Thomas Shoal.
The recent hostilities near the Second Thomas Shoal involved the Chinese coast guard using water cannons against a Philippine navy supply boat, resulting in injuries to crew members and significant damage to the vessel. The Philippine government has strongly protested against these actions.
In response to the situation, the United States condemned the actions of the Chinese coast guard and reaffirmed its commitment to support the Philippines under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty. The US reiterated its stance on ensuring freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.
Despite Beijing’s warnings for the US to stay out of regional disputes, the US has maintained its naval presence in the area, citing its commitment to international law and safeguarding maritime freedom in the region.
