11-10-2023 (MANILA) The Philippines’ military chief, Romeo Brawner, dismissed China’s coast guard’s statement as “propaganda” regarding an alleged incident involving a Filipino navy gunboat near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea. Brawner stated that the navy ship continued its course and was not driven away, emphasizing that it was conducting a maritime patrol as part of its mission. He reiterated the Philippines’ stance that the Chinese statement was propaganda.
China’s coast guard had claimed earlier that it had taken “necessary measures” to drive away the gunboat from the Scarborough Shoal after it disregarded repeated warnings, describing the incident as a serious violation of international law. The following day, China warned the Philippines against further “provocations” at an atoll in the South China Sea, asserting that such acts violated Chinese territorial sovereignty, international law, and disrupted regional peace and stability.
The Scarborough Shoal is a highly disputed maritime feature in Asia, frequently causing tensions over issues of sovereignty and fishing rights. Although the area falls within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, China asserts “indisputable sovereignty” over the region, referring to it as Huangyan Island and its adjacent waters. China has maintained control over the shoal since a standoff with the Philippines in 2012.
Last month, the Philippine coast guard reported removing a 300-meter floating barrier installed by China that had blocked access to the shoal. Relations between the Philippines and China have deteriorated since President Ferdinand Marcos assumed office last year. Marcos has strengthened ties with Washington, granting access to additional bases, including military facilities in the northern regions near Taiwan.
