Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ruled out deploying Navy warships to the South China Sea in response to recent confrontations with Chinese vessels in disputed waters, Bloomberg reports.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Marcos stated that such a move would be perceived as provocative and an escalation of tensions.
“It will be provocative and will be seen as an escalation. We don’t do that,” Marcos said, adding, “We are not at war, we don’t need Navy warships.”
His remarks follow a series of incidents last week where the Philippines accused the China Coast Guard of twice using water cannons against Filipino vessels near the Scarborough Shoal, a disputed area in the South China Sea. Additionally, a Chinese Navy ship was accused of performing “dangerous maneuvers.” China countered these accusations, claiming the Philippine ships dangerously approached their patrol vessels and that their actions were necessary control measures. Further, the Philippines alleged harassment of Filipino fishing boats by a Chinese Navy helicopter at a contested reef.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning responded to the accusations at a regular briefing in Beijing, stating that the incidents were “entirely caused by the Philippines’ persistent infringement and provocation” and that China would continue to uphold its sovereignty in the region.
Despite this stance, President Marcos emphasized that the Philippines will continue its mission of resupplying Filipino fishermen and protecting its territorial rights in the area. He reiterated the Philippines’ commitment to de-escalation, and that the country has consistently worked to avoid such actions.
The Marcos administration’s position stands in contrast to China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea, a vital global trade route rich in energy resources. Manila continues to cite a 2016 international tribunal ruling that invalidated China’s expansive claims in favor of the Philippines’ sovereign rights.
