By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Despite the outpouring of support of several countries, including the United States, Japan and Australia for the Philippines in its lawful claim on the West Philippine Sea (WPS), China’s defense minister Dong Jun on Sunday (02 June 2024) warned of “limits” to Beijing’s restraint on the South China Sea.
China has issued new rules effective June 15 this year that would enforce a 2021 coast guard law and allow detention of foreigners suspected of “trespassing”.
“China has maintained sufficient restraint in the face of rights infringements and provocation, but there are limits to this,” Dong said before the Shangri-La Dialogue, which is attended by defense officials from around the world.
For years, China claims almost the entire South China Sea, which includes the WPS, ignoring an international ruling that its claims have no legal basis, and continually invoking the “mythical” nine-dash line.
“I do not intend to yield,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said in reaction. “Filipinos do not yield”.
He noted that China’s plan to detain foreigners trespassing in the South China Sea is an escalation of the tension in the region.
“Illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive actions continue to violate our sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdictions,” Marcos Jr earlier said.
Meanwhile, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Romeo Brawner Jr. on Friday (31 May 2024) disclosed that the Philippine government is monitoring the deployment of bigger ships in the West Philippine Sea.
To recall, China Coast Guard 5901 known as “The Monster,” the largest coast guard ship in the world, conducted a “brief intrusive patrol” near Scarborough Shoal.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) maintained that Scarborough Shoal, also called Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal, is located within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
(el Amigo/mnm)
