South China Sea: Philippines to explore oil-rich waters amid China tension: ‘it’s quite urgent that we start now’

Energy exploration could be the next flashpoint in the South China Sea, where Beijing has laid a sweeping claim opposed by countries including the Philippines

The Philippines imports almost all its fuel requirements, and has been trying to start energy exploration in its waters as a key local gas field nears depletion

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A Chinese deep-water drilling rig is seen in the South China Sea. The Philippines also announced its desire to start oil-exploration in the disputed waters. Photo: AP

Published: 5:34pm, 18 Jan 2024

The Philippines is building defence alliances with the US and other security partners to help pave the way for resource exploration in the oil-and-gas-rich South China Sea, the nation’s top defence official said, amid heightened tensions with Beijing.

“I really do think it’s quite urgent that we start now,” Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jnr said in an interview with Bloomberg News on Wednesday in his office in Manila. While he declined to provide details, Teodoro, 59, said that resource exploration is “part of the package” of the Philippines’ strategy in fighting for its territory.

His comments suggest that energy exploration could well be the next flashpoint in the territorial disputes in the South China Sea, where Beijing has laid a sweeping claim opposed by countries including the Philippines and rejected by an international tribunal in 2016. The Philippines, which imports almost all its fuel requirements, has been trying to start energy exploration in its territorial waters as a key local gas field nears depletion.

That bid had been largely foiled by the maritime dispute with China, which routinely deploys ships in the contested waters. Beijing’s agenda in the South China Sea may also be spurred by energy interests, according to Teodoro.

“This could mean that they really want total domination and control over everything from free passage to resources, or they want to bear hug the Philippines to make them the sole joint venture partner in the exploration or exploitation of resources in this area,” Teodoro said.

“Their legal position is untenable and has been rejected by the whole world,” he said.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr had lately stepped up a push to end the deadlock in negotiations in South China Sea resource exploration, almost a year since he met Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping and agreed to jointly pursue discussions.

A Philippine supply boat sails near a Chinese Coast Guard ship during a resupply mission for Filipino troops stationed at a grounded warship in the South China Sea, on October 4, 2023. Photo: Reuters