Chinese navy’s presence in South China Sea ‘worrisome’, Philippines’ Marcos says

President Marcos Jnr said the the presence of Chinese naval vessels will not deter Manila from defending its maritime territory

The Philippines last week accused the Chinese coastguard of attempting to block a Filipino government boat delivering supplies to fishermen

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Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 10:35am, 28 Feb 2024Updated: 10:36am, 28 Feb 2024

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr on Wednesday said the Chinese navy’s presence in the South China Sea is “worrisome” but will not deter his country from defending its maritime territory and protecting its fishermen.

The Philippine coastguard spotted the presence of Chinese navy vessels during a patrol mission by a vessel of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) at the hotly contested Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea last week.

The BFAR vessel, which the PCG said was shadowed and blocked by Chinese coastguard ships, also distributed fuel to Filipino fishermen in the area.

“We continue to support all our fishermen, our fisherfolk who make a living from these fishing grounds and we will continue to help them despite … blocking attempts, shadowing,” Marcos told reporters before leaving for a state visit to Australia.

The BRP Datu Sanday was supplying fuel to fishermen near the Scarborough Shoal when it was harassed by a China coastguard vessel and three other Chinese ships on February 22, the Philippine coastguard said.

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