Philippines Files Protest Against China Over Aggressive Actions In South China Sea

The Philippines has filed a formal protest against China after a maritime dispute on December 4 in the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea.

This is the latest protest the Philippines has made against China under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

On December 4, Chinese Coast Guard ships fired water cannons and sideswiped a Philippine patrol boat, the BRP Datu Pagbuaya, which was delivering supplies to Filipino Fishermen near the Scarborough Shoal.

The incident happened about 16 miles from the disputed shoal.

Philippine officials said that the Chinese ships also blocked and performed dangerous manoeuvres against other Philippine vessels. For instance, the BRP Teresa Magbanua was blocked by Chinese ships, and the BRP Cabra came dangerously close to Chinese vessels, with one coming within 300 yards.

Philippine Coast Guard Commodore Jay Tarriela strongly criticised China’s actions, calling them an act of aggression that violated international law and put Filipino fishermen at risk. He said that the Philippines would continue its missions to resupply its outposts in the area and maintain its presence in the region.

In response, China and its ships acted to protect its territory, saying that Philippine vessels had entered Chinese waters.

The People’s Republic of China has no jurisdiction over Bajo de Masinloc, which is classified as a rock under the 2016 Arbitral Award and Article 121 of UNCLOS. The Philippines has sovereignty over it, including its territorial sea. The waters beyond Bajo de Masinloc’s… https://t.co/cuItA3lcQd pic.twitter.com/I8WvHk0rJN

— Jay Tarriela (@jaytaryela) December 4, 2024

Video Credits: Jay Tarriela/X

China’s Coast Guard spokesperson, Liu Dejun, defended the actions as lawful and professional. He warned the Philippines to stop what he called “provocations.”

The two countries have been involved in a continuous series of tensions for a long time. Since President Marcos took office in July 2022, the Philippines has filed 193 protests against China, with 60 of them happening just this year.

The Philippines has repeatedly accused China of being aggressive in the South China Sea, a region where both countries have competing claims.

The Scarborough Shoal has been the key point of conflict. China claims it as its territory, but the Philippines considers it part of its exclusive economic zone.

In 2016, an international court ruled that China’s claims have no legal basis, but China has ignored the ruling and continued its presence in the area.

Earlier this year, a Filipino sailor lost a finger during another serious maritime dispute. The Philippines has expressed concern about the safety of its fishermen and naval personnel in the area.

The United States also criticised China’s actions. U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, MaryKay Carlson, called China’s use of water cannons unacceptable and said it endangered Philippine maritime operations and lives.

Carlson reiterated their commitment to support the Philippines in defending its waters.

References: Reuters, Bloomberg

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