Chinese vessels in disputed waters worry Philippines
2022.12.14 05:21
Chinese vessels in disputed waters worry Philippines
Budrigannews.com – The Philippines’ protection boss on Wednesday said the revealed presence of many Chinese vessels in questioned waters in the South China Ocean was an “unsatisfactory” activity that disregards the nation’s sway.
Jose Faustino, the officer in charge of the Department of National Defense, stated in a statement, “The president’s order to the department is clear – we will not give up a single square inch of Philippine territory.”
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He went on to say that the “reported swarming of Chinese vessels in Iroquois Reef and Sabina Shoal in the West Philippine Sea” was cause for “great concern.” Manila refers to the West Philippine Sea as a portion of the South China Sea that it claims.
The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported last week that a Philippine military commander confirmed the presence of Chinese vessels believed to be manned by militias in the reef and shoal since the beginning of this year. Faustino’s remarks follow that report.
Faustino stated, “Our lines remain open to dialogue.” However, we maintain that it is unacceptable to engage in activities that jeopardize the peace and stability of the region and violate our sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction.”
In 2016, the Philippines won a landmark arbitration case that invalidated Beijing’s expansive claims in the South China Sea, where ship-borne trade worth about $3 trillion passes annually.
The ruling states that the Philippines has sovereign rights to exploit energy reserves within its 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone, which includes both Iroquois Reef and Sabina Shoal. China refused to recognize the ruling.
In the disputed waters, Iroquois is 127 nautical miles from Palawan, a Philippine island. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris visited Palawan last month to reiterate Washington’s defense commitments to Manila and support for the 2016 arbitration decision.
The Chinese embassy in Manila did not immediately respond with a statement. Next month, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will pay a state visit to Beijing.
