The Philippine military chief, General Romeo Brawner Jr., has issued a stern warning to Chinese forces in the disputed South China Sea. He stated that Philippine forces would respond with equal force if they came under assault again from China’s coast guard, following a tense confrontation last month. The incident resulted in injuries to Filipino navy personnel and damage to two navy boats.
During the June 17 faceoff at Second Thomas Shoal, Chinese personnel armed with machetes and spears clashed with Filipino navy personnel. In response, General Brawner asked China to pay 60 million pesos ($1 million) in damages for the two navy boats and to return seven rifles seized by the Chinese coast guard. Furthermore, the Philippine military may also request China to cover the costs of surgery for a navy officer who lost his right thumb during the incident.
The demands were conveyed, alongside a strong protest, during talks with a Chinese government delegation in Manila. However, as of now, the Chinese delegation has not responded to these demands.
In a news conference, General Brawner emphasized that the Philippine military would defend itself with proportionate force. He clarified that if Filipino navy personnel are involved in another confrontation, they would respond using the same level of force necessary for self-defense. He firmly stated that the military would not allow itself to be bullied and emphasized their obligation to protect the Philippines’ territorial rights.
The South China Sea, a hotly contested region involving China, the Philippines, and other neighboring countries, is a potential flashpoint. The U.S. has warned that it is committed to defending the Philippines, its oldest treaty ally in Asia, in the event of an armed attack. The ongoing territorial disputes have raised concerns about the potential for an armed conflict between the U.S. and China.
Second Thomas Shoal, in particular, has become a dangerous area within the disputed waters. Chinese coast guard, navy, and militia ships have surrounded Philippine marines stationed on a grounded ship. China’s blockade has hindered the delivery of essential supplies to the Filipino forces at the outpost, further escalating tensions.
Both China and the Philippines have accused each other of provoking the confrontation at the shoal last month. Beijing claims that the Filipino navy personnel entered Chinese territorial waters, while the Philippines maintains that they were delivering supplies to their territorial outpost.
In a closed-door conference with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., top military commanders updated progress in counter-insurgency efforts and plans to defend Philippine territorial interests in the South China Sea. Despite the tensions, Marcos reiterated the importance of de-escalating the situation in the disputed waters, emphasizing the effort to avoid war while safeguarding the Philippines’ rights.
The stand-off in the South China Sea continues to be a source of international concern, with the Philippines’ military asserting its readiness to defend its territory, and China’s maritime expansion heightening tensions in the region. As the situation unfolds, the international community watches closely, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the territorial disputes.
Sources:
– The Associated Press
– Official statements from the Armed Forces of the Philippines
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