MANILA, Philippines. In a significant declaration on Friday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. asserted the country’s commitment to defending its waters in the South China Sea against Chinese aggression. This statement follows the recent dismantling of a floating barrier placed by China at a disputed shoal by the Philippine coast guard.
The 300-meter (980-foot) -long barrier, located at the entrance to Scarborough Shoal, was removed at President Marcos’s directive, marking the first time he has spoken publicly against China’s installation at this site. During a news briefing in southern Surigao del Norte province, he stated, “We’re not looking for trouble, but what we’ll do is to continue defending the maritime territory of the Philippines and the rights of our fishermen, who have been fishing in those areas for hundreds of years.”
This incident has exacerbated tensions between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea, a vital trade route. Earlier this year, President Marcos decided to allow an expansion of the U.S. military presence in the Philippines under a 2014 defense pact. This move raised concerns in Beijing, which viewed it as a provocation.
After the dismantling of the barrier, Filipino fishing boats were able to enter the shallow lagoon at Scarborough Shoal, where they reportedly caught approximately 164 tons of fish in a single day. President Marcos emphasized, “That’s what our fishermen lose, so there should not be a barrier there, and it’s clear the area is within the Philippines. Our fishermen have been fishing in those areas for hundreds of years, so I can’t understand why that has changed.”
However, the situation remains complex, as Philippine surveillance aircraft spotted two Chinese coast guard vessels guarding the shoal’s entrance, hindering Filipino fishermen’s access to the fishing lagoon.
The Chinese government has staunchly defended its claims to Scarborough Shoal, with Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin describing it as “China’s inherent territory” and dismissing the actions taken by the Philippines as a “farce.”
President Marcos’s more assertive stance contrasts with that of his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, who maintained amicable relations with China and Russia while often criticizing U.S. and Western security policies. Under Marcos’s leadership, the Philippines has taken a more proactive approach in addressing China’s increasingly aggressive actions in the South China Sea, frequently inviting journalists to join its patrols to expose what it calls Chinese bullying in the region.
Territorial disputes in the South China Sea involve not only China and the Philippines but also Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. The area has long been considered a potential flashpoint in Asia and a point of contention in the broader U.S.-China rivalry.
While the United States does not claim sovereignty over the South China Sea, it has conducted patrols in the region for decades to challenge China’s expansive claims and promote freedom of navigation and overflight. The U.S. government has made it clear that it is obligated to defend the Philippines under a 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty if Filipino forces, ships, and aircraft come under attack, including in the South China Sea. This further complicates an already intricate geopolitical situation in the region.
Marcos says Philippines is not looking for trouble but will defend waters against Chinese aggression
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.
