Accusations have been made by the Philippine defense chief stating that China is the primary disruptor of peace in Southeast Asia. This comes as tensions between Manila and Beijing rise over disputes concerning reefs and waters in the South China Sea.
During a conference of the US Indo-Pacific Command, Gilberto Teodoro highlighted China’s disruptive actions, particularly evident in repeated confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels in the region over the last year.
China’s extensive claims over the sea, disregarding competing claims from other nations, including the Philippines, and a ruling declaring their claims illegitimate, continue to fuel the tensions.
These claims by China extend into reefs and waters within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone, which stretches approximately 370 kilometers (200 nautical miles) from the country’s coast.
Teodoro emphasized, “China is the biggest disruptor of international peace in the ASEAN region,” alluding to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
China’s strategic deployment of ships for patrolling the region and the militarization of artificial islands to reinforce their claims have further heightened the tensions.
Teodoro, addressing the media, urged other nations to condemn China’s unlawful activities until it relents under pressure to cease its actions.
In a statement, Teodoro reiterated the need for a united front, stating, “We need a collective consensus and a strong call out against China,” emphasizing the challenges faced against a more powerful opponent.
These comments by Teodoro follow China’s announcement of implementing “control measures” against two Philippine Coast Guard ships near Sabina Shoal in the Spratly Islands.
The Philippine Coast Guard dispatched two vessels to provide supplies to a ship at the reef but had to abort the mission due to China’s aggressive patrol activities and harsh sea conditions, as reported by Commodore Jay Tarriela, Manila’s coast guard spokesperson.
Several altercations have occurred recently around Sabina Shoal, positioned 140 kilometers (86 miles) west of Palawan, a Philippine island, and around 1,200 kilometers from China’s nearest significant landmass, Hainan island.
Both parties have stationed coast guard vessels at the shoal in recent months, with Manila expressing concerns that Beijing might be gearing up for constructing an artificial island in the area.
As tensions persist, relations between the countries have become strained, with the Philippine administration under President Ferdinand Marcos’s leadership taking a firm stance against China’s actions in the contested territories.
Earlier in June, the Philippine military reported an incident where one of its sailors suffered injuries, with equipment being confiscated or destroyed by the Chinese coast guard near Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratlys.
Content from AFP.