18-2-2025 (MANILA) Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo has called for China to demonstrate professional behaviour as a long-term solution to escalating tensions in the South China Sea.
During a heated panel discussion on Indo-Pacific maritime tensions, Manalo challenged Beijing’s aggressive tactics, particularly questioning the substantial presence of Chinese Coast Guard vessels near Ayungin Shoal, merely 70 nautical miles from Philippine territory.
“The proximity to Philippine shores, compared to the hundreds of miles from China’s Hainan Island, raises legitimate questions about territorial claims,” Manalo noted, departing from his typically measured diplomatic tone.
The Foreign Secretary firmly rejected long-standing Chinese assertions regarding a supposed 1999 agreement to remove the BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal. This position aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s August 2023 statement effectively nullifying any such alleged arrangement.
Responding to claims by former Chinese vice minister Fu Ying about the 2016 arbitral ruling’s validity, Manalo stood firm: “The arbitral award is legally binding and forms part of international law. We anticipate China’s eventual compliance to ease regional tensions.”
The diplomatic exchange grew particularly tense when addressing recent confrontations, including water cannon incidents and vessel ramming by Chinese forces. Manalo advocated for adherence to International Maritime Organization protocols rather than aggressive tactics, emphasising the need for professional maritime conduct.
“Our coast guard maintains professional standards, yet throughout 2023 and early 2024, we’ve witnessed concerning incidents including ramming, water cannon deployment, and laser use,” Manalo explained, suggesting these actions have unnecessarily heightened regional tensions.
The panel, which included Singapore’s Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen and US Senator Christopher Coons, highlighted growing international concern over maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region. Manalo’s forthright comments signal a shift in Philippine diplomatic approach, emphasising the need for rules-based conduct in disputed waters.
