11-5-2024 (MANILA) In an escalating maritime dispute, the Philippine government announced on Saturday (May 11) that it has dispatched vessels to a contested region of the South China Sea. The deployment comes after Manila accused Beijing of constructing “an artificial island” in the strategically vital waters.
The statement from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s office revealed that the Philippine Coast Guard has sent one ship “to monitor the supposed illegal activities of China, creating ‘an artificial island'”. It added that two other vessels are on rotational deployment in the area.
Addressing a forum, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela alleged that “small-scale reclamation” has occurred at the Sabina Shoal, known as Escoda to Manila. He pointed the finger at China as “the most probable actor” behind this development.
The Chinese embassy in Manila had not responded to a request for comment on the Philippine assertions at the time of writing. However, these latest claims risk deepening the rift between the two nations.
Tensions have been simmering for over a year, with heated stand-offs between Beijing and Manila over their competing territorial claims in the South China Sea, a vital trade route worth $3 trillion annually.
On Friday, the Philippine national security adviser called for expelling Chinese diplomats over an alleged leak of a phone conversation with a Filipino admiral concerning the maritime dispute.
China claims a vast swathe of the South China Sea, overlapping with areas claimed by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam. However, a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration rejected Beijing’s claims, deeming them to have no basis in international law.
Highlighting the regional concerns, China has undertaken extensive land reclamation on some South China Sea islands, constructing air force and other military facilities – a move that has raised alarm in Washington and across the region.
According to Commodore Tarriela, a Philippine vessel has been anchored at the Sabina Shoal to “catch and document the dumping of crushed corals over the sandbars”. He cited the “alarming” presence of dozens of Chinese ships, including research and navy vessels, in the area.
Tarriela revealed that the presence of Chinese vessels at the atoll, situated 124 miles (200 km) from the Philippine province of Palawan, coincided with the coast guard’s discovery of piles of dead and crushed coral.
The coast guard plans to take marine scientists to the areas to determine whether the coral piles are a natural occurrence or caused by human intervention, he added.
Furthermore, Tarriela stated that the coast guard intends to maintain a “prolonged presence” at Sabina Shoal, a rendezvous point for Philippine vessels carrying out resupply missions to Filipino troops stationed on a grounded warship at the Second Thomas Shoal, where Manila and Beijing have had frequent maritime run-ins.
