Chinese Ships Clash with Filipino Vessels in South China Sea, US Renews Warning to Defend Philippines
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The United States has once again warned that it would defend the Philippines in the event of an armed attack, following a clash between Chinese and Filipino vessels in the South China Sea. Chinese ships blocked and collided with two Filipino vessels near Second Thomas Shoal, prompting strong protests from the Philippines.
On Monday, Philippine diplomats summoned a Chinese Embassy official in Manila to lodge a formal protest regarding the collisions. While there were no reported injuries, the encounters resulted in damage to a Philippine coast guard ship and a wooden-hulled supply boat.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. held an emergency meeting with top military and security officials to address the growing hostilities in the disputed waters. The Philippines, along with other neighboring countries, has opposed China’s expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea and sought military support from the United States.
Following the meeting, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro criticized China for resorting to “brute force” that endangered Filipino crew members and for distorting the facts to conceal its aggression. Teodoro declared China’s actions a “blatant violation of international law” and emphasized that China had no legal authority to conduct law enforcement operations in Philippine territorial waters.
In response to the clashes, Marcos ordered an investigation into the incidents, but specific actions the Philippine government would take were not disclosed.
In an effort to address the situation, the Philippines plans to raise concerns over the dangerous maneuvers of Chinese ships in talks between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) regarding a proposed nonaggression pact, also known as a “code of conduct.” The talks began in Beijing on Monday, with two Philippine officials disclosing details on the condition of anonymity.
Teodoro remarked that it was “very ironic” for China to host talks aimed at preventing major conflicts while simultaneously demonstrating a disregard for international law.
The territorial disputes involving China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Brunei have long been viewed as a potential flashpoint in the ongoing rivalry between the United States and China.
According to Philippine coast guard Commodore Jay Tarriela, five Chinese coast guard ships, eight accompanying vessels, and two navy ships created a blockade on Sunday, preventing two Philippine coast guard ships and two boats from delivering food and supplies to Filipino forces stationed at Second Thomas Shoal. In the standoff, one Philippine coast guard ship and a supply boat were hit by Chinese ships.
The Chinese diplomat summoned by Philippine officials reiterated China’s claim that the Philippine vessels had intruded into Chinese territory. The diplomat urged the Philippines to cease provocations at sea and remove the “grounded” warship, referring to the Sierra Madre, which has been serving as Manila’s territorial outpost at the shoal since 1999.
China’s coast guard blamed the Philippine vessels for the collisions, alleging that they were transporting construction materials to strengthen their outpost at the shoal.
The US and other allies expressed concern over China’s actions. The US State Department reiterated its commitment to defending the Philippines under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty if Filipino forces, ships, or aircraft come under armed attack in the South China Sea.
The State Department attributed the collisions to the dangerous maneuvers of Chinese ships and accused China of violating international law by interfering with the Philippine vessels’ exercise of freedom of navigation. It also cited a 2016 arbitration ruling that invalidated China’s expansive claims to the South China Sea, including at Second Thomas Shoal.
While the US does not claim any territory in the disputed sea, it has deployed forces to patrol the waters, promoting freedom of navigation and overflight. These actions have drawn criticism from China, which has urged the US to stop meddling in what it considers to be a purely Asian dispute.