President Ferdinand Marcos stated on Sunday that the Philippines “will not be intimidated” by anyone following a violent clash between the Filipino navy and the Chinese coast guard in the South China Sea.
The incident occurred on Monday off Second Thomas Shoal as Chinese sailors thwarted an attempt by Philippine forces to resupply marines stationed on a derelict warship deliberately grounded on the disputed shoal in 1999 to assert Manila’s territorial claims.
This was the most recent and serious altercation in a series of escalating confrontations between Chinese and Philippine ships as Beijing intensifies efforts to assert its claims over nearly all of the strategically located waterway.
“We will never be intimidated or oppressed by anyone,” Marcos declared during a visit to the headquarters of the Philippines’ South China Sea forces on Palawan island, the nearest major landmass to the shoal.
Marcos honoured 80 sailors who participated in the resupply mission, encouraging them to “continue fulfilling their duty of defending the nation” despite acknowledging the “dangerous” situation.
Second Thomas Shoal is approximately 200 kilometres (120 miles) from Palawan and over 1,000 kilometres from China’s nearest major landmass, Hainan island.
A Filipino sailor lost a thumb during the clash, with Manila accusing the Chinese coast guard sailors of using knives, sticks, an axe, and stealing or damaging equipment, including guns and inflatable boats.
Beijing maintained that its coast guard acted in a “professional and restrained” manner and blamed Manila for the altercation.
In previous incidents, Chinese forces used water cannons, military-grade lasers, and collided with Filipino resupply vessels and their escorts.
“We have never, in the history of the Philippines, yielded to any foreign power,” Marcos stated to applause, reaffirming the country’s commitment to exercising its freedoms and rights in support of national interests in accordance with international law.
“Our calm and peaceful disposition should not be interpreted as acquiescence.”
The confrontation is raising concerns that the dispute could involve the United States, which has a mutual defense pact with Manila.
The Philippine government clarified this week that it does not view Monday’s clash as an “armed attack” that would trigger a provision in the treaty for Washington to support Manila.
However, Manila expressed concern that Chinese forces might attempt to remove a small Filipino military garrison on Second Thomas Shoal.
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