MANILA. Tensions in the South China Sea escalate as the Philippines announced on Saturday the deployment of ships to a contested area, accusing China of constructing what it terms “an artificial island” in the midst of a maritime dispute.
According to a statement from the office of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, the Philippine coast guard has dispatched a vessel to monitor alleged illegal activities by China, involving the creation of an artificial island. Additionally, two other vessels have been placed in rotational deployment in the area.
Commodore Jay Tarriela, spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard, disclosed during a forum that there had been reports of “small-scale reclamation” activities at the Sabina Shoal, known as Escoda by Manila, with China being identified as “the most probable actor.”
As of now, the Chinese embassy in Manila has not provided a response to the Philippine allegations, which have the potential to further strain bilateral relations.
In a separate development, the Philippine national security adviser recently called for the expulsion of Chinese diplomats following allegations of a leaked phone conversation between a Chinese admiral and a Filipino counterpart regarding the maritime dispute.
For over a year, China and the Philippines have been engaged in intense confrontations over their conflicting territorial claims in the South China Sea, a crucial waterway through which $3 trillion worth of trade flows annually. China asserts sovereignty over nearly the entire area, disregarding claims by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled against Beijing’s claims, stating they lacked legal basis under international law.
China’s extensive land reclamation efforts in the South China Sea, which involve the construction of military facilities, have drawn widespread concern in Washington and across the region.
According to Tarriela, a Philippine vessel has been stationed at the Sabina Shoal to monitor and document the alleged dumping of crushed corals, amidst the presence of numerous Chinese ships, including research and navy vessels. This move comes in response to the discovery of dead and crushed coral formations, sparking concerns over potential environmental damage.
The Philippine coast guard plans to conduct investigations with marine scientists to ascertain whether the coral piles are a natural phenomenon or a result of human intervention. Additionally, it intends to maintain a continuous presence at Sabina Shoal, a strategic point for Philippine vessels resupplying troops stationed on a grounded warship at the Second Thomas Shoal, where Manila and Beijing have frequently clashed in maritime encounters.
The situation remains tense as both countries navigate the complexities of their territorial disputes in the South China Sea, with implications extending beyond their borders.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
