MANILA. The Philippines has taken bold steps to highlight its territorial disputes with China by releasing videos of confrontations in the South China Sea and inviting journalists to document the ongoing tensions. This move aims to garner international support amid escalating hostilities with Beijing.
In a strategic deployment, the Philippines sent three coast guard vessels to ensure the safety of a civilian flotilla bound for the contested Scarborough Shoal, a flashpoint in the maritime disputes between Manila and Beijing. The three-day mission, organized by the group Atin Ito (This is Ours), is intended to deliver provisions to fishermen anchored at the shoal.
Despite the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) not being an official part of the civilian mission that sailed on Wednesday, it will provide safety and security, PCG spokesperson Jay Tarriela told reporters. A PCG aircraft monitoring the situation reported spotting 19 Chinese vessels, including a Chinese navy ship, near the Scarborough Shoal.
Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported that the Chinese Coast Guard recently conducted routine drills at the shoal. Previously, Atin Ito led a mission to deliver supplies to troops at the Second Thomas Shoal but had to abort due to harassment by Chinese coast guard ships.
China maintains its firm stance on sovereignty over the shoal, which it refers to as Huangyan Island. “If the Philippine side abuses China’s goodwill and infringes on China’s territorial sovereignty and jurisdiction, China will defend its rights in accordance with the law,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin stated. CCTV echoed this, noting the Chinese Coast Guard’s routine enforcement activities in the disputed waters.
Historical Context and Strategic Significance
The Scarborough Shoal, within Manila’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), is rich in fish stocks and provides a safe haven for vessels during storms. China took control of the shoal in 2012 after a standoff with the Philippines and has since maintained a constant presence of coast guard and fishing vessels, often accused by Manila of being part of a maritime militia.
“China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea reveal not strength, but a glaring weakness,” remarked Rafaela David, co-convenor of Atin Ito. “When it resorts to intimidating small, civilian fishing vessels with military might, it showcases a narrative built on fear rather than legitimate authority.”
Atin Ito has installed symbolic buoys within the Philippine EEZ, emblazoned with “WPS ATIN ITO” to assert Philippine sovereignty. The term West Philippine Sea (WPS) refers to parts of the South China Sea within the Philippines’ EEZ.
A 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration invalidated China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea, a decision Beijing has continuously ignored. China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, overlapping with territories claimed by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
Escalating Tensions and International Implications
The increasing frequency of skirmishes has led to minor collisions, injured Filipino navy personnel, and damaged supply boats. This has raised fears of the territorial disputes escalating into armed conflict, potentially involving the United States, a longtime treaty ally of the Philippines.
The Philippines’ strategy of releasing confrontation videos and involving journalists seeks to draw global attention to its plight. In December, a similar mission by Atin Ito was cut short due to Chinese harassment. Recently, Chinese coast guard ships used water cannons on Philippine vessels, further inflaming tensions.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry warned, “If the Philippine side abuses China’s goodwill and infringes on China’s territorial sovereignty and jurisdiction, China will safeguard its rights and take countermeasures in accordance with the law.”
With multiple nations, including Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan, involved in the South China Sea disputes, the region remains a hotbed of geopolitical tension. The Philippines’ latest moves underscore its determination to defend its maritime rights and seek international support against China’s assertive actions.
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.
