THITU ISLAND, South China Sea. The Philippines has officially opened a new coast guard monitoring base on Thitu Island, a contested territory in the South China Sea, in response to escalating tensions with China. The monitoring center, equipped with radar and ship-tracking technology, aims to counter what Philippine officials describe as China’s “pure bullying” tactics in the region.
Amid heightened faceoffs between Chinese and Philippine vessels in the disputed waters, the Philippines plans to expand joint patrols with the United States and Australia. The move is seen as a deterrence strategy against China’s assertive actions, which the Philippines claims violate international law.
National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, who led the inauguration ceremony, emphasized that the newly constructed monitoring center on Thitu Island signifies a shift from the “gray zone” to “pure bullying” by Chinese forces. The center will play a crucial role in monitoring China’s activities in the hotly disputed waters.
Despite China’s warning against joint naval patrols that could affect its “territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests,” the Philippines has initiated joint sea and air patrols with the U.S. and Australia. Ano indicated a willingness to include other nations, such as Japan, once a security agreement is finalized.
As the Philippines reinforces its stance, China reiterated its claim to the South China Sea on Friday. Ano reported that Chinese forces transmitted a radio warning as the Filipino delegation approached Thitu Island, which was dismissed by the Filipino pilots asserting Philippine sovereign rights.
Thitu Island, also known as Pag-asa, has been occupied by Philippine forces since the 1970s. The island, part of the Spratlys archipelago, serves as a strategic outpost with enhanced facilities, but it remains a modest settlement compared to nearby Chinese-controlled islands.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration has taken a more assertive approach, exposing China’s provocations in the South China Sea to garner international attention. Marcos affirmed the Philippines’ commitment not to yield any territory, emphasizing the gravity of the situation during recent meetings with U.S. military leaders.
As tensions persist, the Philippines aims to maintain control over its claimed territories in the South China Sea, highlighting the geopolitical significance of the region.
(With inpust from agencies)
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.
