In a recent conference held at the Camp Aguinaldo military headquarters, Philippine military chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. underscored that Philippine forces will take necessary measures to defend themselves with commensurate force in the event of another assault from China’s coast guard in the contested South China Sea.
The cautionary statement follows a recent clash, in which Chinese coast guard personnel armed with machetes and spears wounded Filipino navy personnel and caused extensive damage to two naval vessels at Second Thomas Shoal. In response, Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. has formally requested that China provide compensation of 60 million pesos ($1 million) for damages and return the seven rifles seized by the Chinese coast guard during the altercation.
These demands were formally conveyed to a Chinese government delegation in Manila, accompanied by a stern protest. However, as of now, the Chinese delegation has not issued a public response to these demands.
Additionally, the Philippine military is contemplating the request for China to cover the expenses for the surgery of a navy officer who lost his right thumb during the confrontation at Second Thomas Shoal as a result of a Chinese navy vessel ramming his boat, causing severe injuries.
Amid concerns about potential future incidents, Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. reaffirmed that the Filipino navy personnel are committed to responding with proportionate force solely for self-defense, underscoring the principle of proportionality in their actions. He emphasized that the Philippine military has no intention of instigating conflict but will not tolerate any form of harassment or foreign encroachment in their territorial waters.
The South China Sea has long been a contentious focal point for territorial disputes involving several countries, including China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. These confrontations have raised apprehensions about the prospective involvement of the United States, which has a treaty obligation to defend the Philippines in case of armed aggression.
Given the escalating tensions, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has convened with top military commanders to discuss counter-insurgency efforts and strategies to safeguard the country’s territorial interests in the region. He has reiterated the paramount importance of de-escalation and urged the military to actively work towards averting any potential armed conflict.
While expressing the aspiration to evade war, Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. underscored the Philippines’ unwavering commitment to uphold its territorial rights and resist any foreign encroachment on its sovereignty.
It is evident that the Philippines is adopting a resolute stance in safeguarding its interests in the contested South China Sea, while simultaneously pursuing diplomatic avenues to mitigate further escalation of tensions. The outcomes of these deliberations will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the geopolitical landscape in the region.
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