SINGAPORE. Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. denounced the illegal, coercive, and aggressive activities in the South China Sea during his address at the Shangri-La Dialogue defense summit in Singapore on Friday. This disputed ocean territory has seen a significant increase in the presence of Chinese coastguard ships in recent months.
Marcos articulated the collective vision of the Philippines and other Southeast Asian nations for “peace, stability, and prosperity” in the South China Sea, but he pointed out that this vision is being undermined by the actions of other actors, though he refrained from naming China directly.
“Unfortunately, this vision remains for now a distant reality. Illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive actions continue to violate our sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction,” Marcos stated.
The past year has seen a rise in tensions and confrontations between the Philippines and China in the region, with Beijing intensifying its claims over shoals that Manila asserts are within its exclusive economic zone. Chinese coastguard tactics, such as the use of water cannons and ramming, have been used to obstruct Philippine resupply and patrol missions. Additionally, China has deployed fishing boats considered by the Philippines and its allies as maritime militia.
After his speech, Marcos highlighted the global significance of security in the South China Sea, a vital trade route. When asked by a reporter whether the killing of a Filipino by Chinese coastguard water cannons would be a “red line,” Marcos responded emphatically.
“If a Filipino citizen was killed by a wilful act, that is very close to what we define as an act of war,” Marcos said. “We would have crossed the Rubicon. Is that a red line? Almost certainly.”
The Philippines, strategically located and historically allied with the United States, finds itself at the heart of the growing power struggle between Washington and Beijing.
On the same day, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with China’s Defense Minister, Dong Jun, in Singapore on the sidelines of the summit. Austin emphasized the importance of freedom of navigation in the South China Sea under international law, as per a Pentagon statement. In response, Dong accused the United States of exacerbating regional tensions through its military presence.
Marcos warned that the rivalry between the United States and China is destabilizing Southeast Asia and urged both nations to resolve their disputes more effectively.
“Their rivalry is constraining the strategic choices of regional states. Their contest is exacerbating flashpoints and has created new security dilemmas,” Marcos remarked. “The continued stability of this region requires China and the United States to manage their rivalry in a responsible manner,” he concluded.
The summit underscored the urgency of maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea, amid escalating tensions and complex geopolitical dynamics.
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.
