The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) filed its 189th diplomatic protest against China in less than two years, this time after Beijing redefined its territorial boundaries to encompass Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Beijing’s move came less than a week after President Marcos enacted two laws intended to clearly define the Philippines’ maritime borders.
The National Maritime Council (NMC) said China’s redefined baseline violated the long-established sovereignty of the Philippines and attempts to solidify Beijing’s illegal annexation of the shoal.
“Moreover, the use of straight baselines around the shoal by China contravenes UNCLOS and the final and binding 2016 Arbitral Award,” the Council said in a statement.
On Wednesday, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. told his Australian counterpart about Beijing’s increasing pressure on the Philippines to relinquish claim over a huge portion of its maritime territory, despite a 2016 arbitral ruling invalidating China’s extensive claims.
“What we see is an increasing demand by Beijing for us to concede our sovereign rights in the area because of our need to explore and exploit the resources in these areas for the benefit of our own people,” Teodoro said at a press briefing in Canberra after meeting with his Australian counterpart, Defense Minister Richard Marles.
Teodoro noted that China’s “grey zone” tactics, like deploying maritime militias under the guise of law enforcement, have intensified.
He reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to strengthening its defense and deterrence capabilities.
“And that is clear, we don’t need to enter into a geopolitical nexus for determining the root cause of the problem, because we are direct victims of Chinese aggression in this and in a concentrated area so far, thus far, in the [WPS],” he noted.
Teodoro’s remarks came during his official visit to Australia, where both governments agreed to bolster bilateral defense ties, and hold more joint patrols and military exercises.
During their meeting, both ministers expressed deep concern over dangerous actions taken by China against Philippine vessels in the disputed waters.
The ministers stressed the importance of upholding international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which guarantees freedoms of navigation and overflight.
They reiterated their support for the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Tribunal ruling, which they emphasized was final and binding on all parties.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Navy (PN) on Tuesday launched a locally assembled gunboat amid China’s increasingly aggressive posturing in the WPS.
The Fast Interdiction Craft-Missile (FAIC-M) Project, christened, BRP Albert Majini (PG909), joined the PN’s high-speed gunboat fleet, intended to address current and emerging security threats.
“This milestone represents our progress in strengthening national security and our commitment to advancing the Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) program, particularly in shipbuilding,” said the PN’s Flag Officer-in-Command Vice Adm. Adaci Jr.
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