Philippine Defense Chief Denounces China’s Actions
China is the “biggest disruptor” of peace in Southeast Asia, according to Philippine Defense Chief Gilberto Teodoro, who made the statement on Tuesday as tensions between Manila and Beijing continue to escalate over disputed reefs and waters in the South China Sea. Teodoro’s remarks were made during a conference of the US Indo-Pacific Command, following a series of confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels in the contentious waterway over the past year.
Disputed Claims in the South China Sea
China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, dismissing competing claims from other nations, including the Philippines. This stance persists despite an international ruling that China’s claims have no legal basis. China’s assertions include areas within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which extends approximately 370 kilometers (200 nautical miles) from its coastline.
Calls for Collective Action Against China’s “Illegal Acts”
Teodoro emphasized the need for a unified response from the international community, urging other nations to condemn China’s “illegal acts” until Beijing succumbs to international pressure. “We are struggling against a more powerful adversary,” he stated, highlighting the challenges the Philippines faces in the ongoing territorial dispute.
Recent Confrontations in the South China Sea
Teodoro’s comments followed China’s announcement that it had taken “control measures” against two Philippine Coast Guard ships near Sabina Shoal in the Spratly Islands. The Philippine vessels were on a mission to deliver supplies to one of their ships stationed at the reef but were forced to abandon their mission due to China’s “excessive” deployment of ships and adverse sea conditions, according to Commodore Jay Tarriela, a spokesman for the Philippine Coast Guard.
Growing Concerns Over China’s Activities
The area around Sabina Shoal, located 140 kilometers west of the Philippine island of Palawan and approximately 1,200 kilometers from China’s Hainan Island, has seen multiple confrontations in recent days. Both the Philippines and China have stationed coast guard vessels at the shoal, with Manila expressing concern that Beijing may be planning to construct an artificial island.
Strained Relations Under President Marcos’s Administration
The relationship between the Philippines and China has deteriorated under President Ferdinand Marcos’s administration, which has taken a firmer stance against Beijing’s actions in the contested waters. In June, a Philippine sailor lost a thumb in a confrontation where the Chinese coast guard confiscated or destroyed Philippine equipment, including firearms, near Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands.
