President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, has issued a directive to the armed forces to alleviate tensions in the South China Sea, following a recent confrontation with China. This decision comes after both Manila and Beijing expressed the importance of rebuilding trust and confidence in order to effectively manage maritime disputes during a recent round of discussions hosted by Manila.
In a command conference with President Marcos, General Romeo Brawner communicated the demand for the return of seven firearms confiscated by China’s coast guard from Filipino navy personnel, as well as a request for China to provide 60 million pesos in compensation for the damage incurred during a resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal. The Philippines has accused China of deliberately obstructing the mission, resulting in serious injury to a Filipino sailor.
The Philippines remains resolute in its position, with a warship crewed by a small team deployed and grounded at Second Thomas Shoal to reinforce its maritime claims. The military is also contemplating holding China accountable for the expenses associated with reconstructing the injured sailor’s finger.
China, which maintains authority over a significant portion of the South China Sea, has defended the legality and professionalism of its actions in the region. It has disputed the 2016 ruling by The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration, which invalidated its expansive maritime claims.
Despite the ongoing tensions, the Philippine military is exploring various alternatives for its operations in the South China Sea, with the objective of ensuring the secure delivery of supplies to its troops without exacerbating the situation. Additionally, the armed forces will collaborate with Senator Imee Marcos, who alleges to possess knowledge of a Chinese plan to target the Philippines with hypersonic missiles. However, no substantiating evidence has been presented to support this assertion.
In a separate development, the Philippine army has confirmed that the Typhon missile launcher, which was deployed on Philippine soil during joint military exercises with the US, will be withdrawn by September.
In pursuit of broader international support for its maritime claims, the Philippines seeks to strengthen its alliances with other nations to advocate for a rules-based order that upholds international law. The country is hopeful for an agreement that would permit the militaries of the Philippines and Japan to visit each other’s soil, with discussions scheduled for July 8.
As tensions in the South China Sea persist, all involved parties must exercise restraint and pursue diplomatic resolutions to prevent further escalation. The efforts of the Philippines to manage the situation and seek international support underscore the importance of addressing maritime disputes through peaceful and lawful means.
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