Philippine President Asserts Willingness to Defend Maritime Territory Against Chinese Actions

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On Friday, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. clarified that while his nation is not seeking conflict, it remains committed to safeguarding its maritime territories. This statement came in the wake of the Philippine coast guard’s removal of a barrier installed by China at Scarborough Shoal, a disputed location in the South China Sea.

In his first public comment on the matter, President Marcos Jr. criticized China’s placement of a 300-meter-long barrier at the entrance to Scarborough Shoal, which was subsequently removed on his directive.

“In response to queries during a news conference in Surigao del Norte province, Marcos articulated, “Our objective is not to incite conflict, but to persistently protect our maritime zones and the rights of our fishing community, who have been plying these waters for centuries.”

The recent tension between China and the Philippines has been exacerbated by Marcos’s earlier decision to expand the U.S. military footprint in the country, as part of a 2014 defense agreement. This expansion, particularly in military bases located in northern Philippines across from Taiwan and southern China, has elicited alarm and ire from Beijing.

Following the removal of the Chinese-imposed barrier at Scarborough Shoal, Philippine fishing vessels accessed the area and harvested approximately 164 tons of fish within a single day. Marcos emphasized, “This illustrates what our fishermen stand to lose. There is no justification for a barrier in an area that clearly belongs to the Philippines. Our fishermen have been operating in these waters for centuries; I cannot fathom why this should now change.”

In a recent press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin claimed the shoal as China’s “inherent territory,” asserting, “What the Philippines has engaged in is merely a self-entertaining farce. China will continue to protect its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests at Huangyan Island,” referring to Scarborough Shoal by its Chinese name.

Although President Marcos has endeavored to maintain cordial relations with China, the enduring territorial disputes have set the two Asian countries on a potentially confrontational path. Marcos insisted that the Philippines would not relinquish “even an inch” of its territorial waters.

This tougher stance marks a departure from that of Marcos’s predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, who sought closer relations with China and Russia while frequently criticizing U.S. and Western security policies.

Since assuming office last year, Marcos has amplified efforts to counter China’s progressively assertive behavior in these contentious waters. The Philippine coast guard regularly invites members of the media to accompany them on patrols, aiming to publicly highlight what they term as Chinese intimidation tactics.

Apart from China and the Philippines, other nations like Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan are also entangled in territorial disputes in the South China Sea, a zone often viewed as a geopolitical flashpoint and a sensitive area in the ongoing U.S.-China rivalry.

While the United States has not laid claims to the maritime route, U.S. naval vessels and aircraft have conducted operations there for years to contest China’s expansive maritime claims and to advocate for freedom of navigation. Washington has also reiterated its obligation to defend the Philippines under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, should Filipino military assets be attacked, including those in the South China Sea.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about South China Sea Dispute

More about South China Sea Dispute

• South China Sea Dispute Background
• President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
• Philippines-China Tensions
• U.S.-Philippines Defense Pact
• Geopolitical Implications