Philippines focuses on strengthening military after China’s ‘dangerous’ actions

Manila (Philippines), August 26 (ANI): The Philippine Defense Secretary on Monday said his country is focusing on strengthening its military to deter armed attacks, local media reported, following the ramming incident in the disputed South China Sea of ​​a Philippine ship by Chinese vessels.

A Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel, the “BRP Datu Sanday” (MMOV 3002), encountered “aggressive and dangerous maneuvers” by eight Chinese Coast Guard vessels while operating from Hasa-Hasa Shoal to Escoda Shoal,” PNA reported.

The actions of the Chinese vessels were aimed at blocking the Philippine ship’s humanitarian mission to resupply Filipino fishermen with diesel, food and medical supplies, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea said.

The two islands – Hasa-Hasa (Half Moon) and Escoda (Sabina) – are claimed by the Philippines as part of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

She added that these unprofessional, aggressive and illegal actions posed serious risks to the safety of the Filipino crew and the fishermen they were supposed to serve.

“The BRP Datu Sanday was targeted by People’s Liberation Army Navy Ship 626 and several Chinese Coast Guard vessels, which attempted to surround and block the humanitarian mission,” the task force said.

Philippine authorities said Chinese coast guard vessels also fired water cannons at the BRP Datu Sanday, causing its engine to fail.

The Philippine National Task Force, however, dismissed claims that Filipinos fell overboard and were later rescued by the Chinese Coast Guard after the incident.

In the House of Representatives, Speaker Ferdinand Romualdez said he was alarmed by China’s “increasingly aggressive” actions.

“Once again, we condemn in the strongest terms these new reckless and dangerous maneuvers by the Chinese coast guard on our ships,” he said, quoted by the PNA news agency.

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. told reporters in Manila, interviewed by the PNA news agency, that the Philippines and its military ally, the United States, should discuss the possibility of an armed attack in the latest incident: “You know this is putting the cart before the horse. Let’s deter an armed attack. That’s the most important thing here.” “That’s what I’m focusing on. Everyone is too focused on the armed attack. Let’s make ourselves strong enough so that it doesn’t happen,” Teodoro said.

The United States, which has a long-standing defense treaty with the Philippines, reiterated its support for Manila.

In a message posted on X on Sunday, US Ambassador MaryKay L Carlson said: “The PRC’s dangerous, illegal and aggressive conduct disrupted a lawful Philippine mission, endangering lives – the latest in a series of dangerous actions by the PRC (People’s Republic of China).” She added the hashtag FriendsPartnersAllies.

The Philippines and the United States have signed a seven-decade-old mutual defense treaty, which stipulates that the two countries would support each other if either was attacked by an outside party.

At the same time, Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya also said on X that Tokyo opposes any action that would increase tensions in the region and endanger people’s lives.

“Another unacceptable development around Sabina Shoal. Any harassment and actions that increase tensions or impede freedom of navigation will not be tolerated. Upholding a rules-based international order and respecting commitments must prevail,” reads the Japanese ambassador’s X-rated post.

On Sunday, Philippine National Security Council Deputy Director General Jonathan Malaya said Manila remains committed to asserting its rights under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 arbitral award.

Philippine and Chinese vessels have recently been involved in clashes in the South China Sea over control of a submerged reef called Second Thomas Shoal.

Chinese coast guard vessels deliberately collided with two Philippine boats on August 19.

Meanwhile, Philippine authorities said that on August 22, Chinese military aircraft launched flares from their reclaimed militarized island at Zamora Reef, during a maritime domain reconnaissance (MDA) flight conducted by the BFAR. (ANI)