Philippines to continue resupply missions in South China Sea, won’t escalate situation
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A China Coast Guard vessel firing a water cannon at a Philippine resupply boat near Scarborough Shoal.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
MANILA – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Dec 10 that the Philippines would continue its resupply missions in the South China Sea without the need to deploy the navy, despite a recent incident with Chinese ships in contested waters.
“We will never be part of an escalation in the West Philippine Sea,” Mr Marcos told reporters, adding that the Philippines would continue supporting the country’s fishing communities.
The Philippines refers to the portion of the South China Sea that it claims as the West Philippine Sea.
China will continue to safeguard its sovereignty, rights and interests, a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said on Dec 10.
“The recent maritime incidents between China and the Philippines are entirely caused by the Philippines’ persistent infringement and provocation,” Ms Mao Ning said at a regular news conference in Beijing.
On Dec 4, Chinese coast guard vessels fired water cannon and sideswiped a Manila fisheries bureau boat transporting supplies to Filipino fishermen operating around Scarborough Shoal, a prime fishing patch, according to Philippine officials.
Philippine Coast Guard vessels also faced “blocking, shadowing and dangerous manoeuvres” from a Chinese navy ship.
The Philippines will not deploy its own warships to the area to prevent provocation and escalation, Mr Marcos said.
Manila filed a diplomatic protest with China, which claims almost the entire South China Sea.
China’s coast guard said last week that Philippine ships “dangerously approached” Beijing’s territorial waters around Scarborough Shoal. REUTERS