By Olawale Abaire, Warrior Editorial Fellow
In a recent development, the Philippines has dispatched naval vessels to a contested region in the South China Sea. This move comes in response to allegations that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is constructing an ‘artificial island’ in the midst of an ongoing territorial dispute between the two nations, as per an official statement from the office of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has assigned its BRP Teresa Magbanua to keep a close watch on China’s alleged unlawful activities, which include the creation of an ‘artificial island’ on Escoda Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) through the destruction of coral reefs.
Jay Tarriela, the official representative for the PCG, has reported that China has mobilized vessels and divers to conduct reclamation activities on the Sabina Shoal, also known as the Escoda Shoal by Manila. In retaliation, the PCG has deployed patrol vessels and inflatable boats to oversee the operations and discourage China’s activities near the Philippine coastline.
The Escoda Shoal, an atoll in the disputed Spratly Islands archipelago in the South China Sea, is claimed by the Philippines to be under the jurisdiction of the province of Palawan. However, China also asserts its sovereignty over the same territory.
Tarriela expressed concern over China’s deployment of the Chinese Maritime Militia, Chinese Coast Guard, PLA Navy, and Chinese research vessels in close proximity to the Palawan coastline. He stated on Twitter that this not only threatens Philippine sovereignty but also inflicts considerable harm on the marine environment.
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The bilateral tension between the two countries has been further exacerbated by Eduardo Año, the Philippine national security adviser, who demanded the expulsion of several senior Chinese diplomats on Friday. This demand was triggered by an alleged leak of a telephonic conversation between Chinese diplomats and a Filipino admiral discussing the current dispute in the South China Sea.
Año criticized the bypassing of official channels and protocols, and the unauthorized discussions with officials, terming such actions as farcical, foolish, and reckless. He invoked Philippine laws and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations to demand the immediate expulsion of the individuals involved.
This incident in the Spratly Islands is just one of many escalating tensions between the Philippines and the PRC in the South China Sea. Earlier this month, the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) summoned a Chinese official in Manila, Zhou Zhyiong, following an attack by the Chinese coast guard on Filipino vessels on a humanitarian mission in Scarborough Shoal. In March, the Philippines accused China of launching an aggressive attack on a Filipino supply boat near the Second Thomas Shoal.
Tarriela assured reporters of the Philippine government’s commitment to maintaining a sustained presence on the Escoda Shoal to document China’s alleged illegal activities and prevent the PRC from infringing on Philippine sovereignty.
“We must unite to thwart China’s ambitious objective of gaining control over the entire West Philippine Sea,” Tarriela urged. “We must not be swayed by their deceptive narratives as China continues to execute illegal actions unbeknownst to us.”
He further emphasized the need for focus and unity in addressing these challenges, with the aim of safeguarding territorial integrity and preserving the marine environment for future generations.
