29-3-2024 (MANILA) The Philippines has firmly stated that it will not be intimidated or coerced into submission regarding the escalating tensions in the South China Sea. In a defiant statement issued on Friday (Mar 29), the country’s defence ministry declared that it is not seeking confrontation or trouble, but will not remain silent in the face of aggression.
The ministry’s resolute stance comes in response to recent statements from China, which the Philippines has condemned as “illegal and uncivilised activities” in the contested waters. The strongly-worded statement criticised the Chinese government’s inability to engage in open, transparent, and legal negotiations, accusing them of resorting to patronising and intimidating tactics against smaller nations.
The war of words between the two nations has intensified after the Philippines accused China of aggressive conduct within Manila’s exclusive economic zone. This accusation prompted a scathing response from Chinese Defence Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian, who blamed the Philippines for the breakdown in relations and demanded an immediate cessation of what they termed as acts of infringement and provocation.
Escalating the tensions further, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr announced on Thursday that his country would implement unspecified countermeasures against “illegal, coercive, aggressive, and dangerous attacks” by China’s coastguard. China’s territorial claims over nearly the entire South China Sea have been a longstanding source of regional conflict.
The recent standoffs have centred around the Second Thomas Shoal, where Philippine resupply missions to a group of soldiers stationed on a decaying warship intentionally grounded on a reef 25 years ago to assert sovereignty claims have been met with resistance.
