South China Sea: ‘stop harassing us’, Philippines foreign minister urges Beijing
- Enrique Manalo said the Philippines was ‘committed to a peaceful resolution of disputes’ with China through ‘peaceful means’
- Also on Monday, a coastguard ship was deployed to check on Chinese research vessels spotted in Benham Rise, which sits off the Philippines’ east coast
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“It’s merely trying to inform the people of what’s going on,” Manolo said. “And some countries or one country at least has some difficulty with that.”
“But our simple explanation is if you would stop harassing us and, and perhaps performing other actions, there wouldn’t be any news to report.”
Philippine governments have tried to rally international and regional support to their cause – with mixed results.
“The Philippines is committed to a peaceful resolution of disputes through diplomatic means, or peaceful means,” Manalo said, while insisting “this will not be done at the expense of our national interest”.
“We are reaching out to partners in like-minded countries with similar issues and similar concerns.”
The two countries are treaty allies, meaning Washington has formally pledged to come to Manila’s defence in the event of a military conflict.
Obviously, any differences or changes in US policy from existing policies would most likely have some kind of effect
“Every country in the world is probably thinking of that, of course. The United States is a major, it’s a treaty ally of the Philippines. So obviously, any differences or changes in US policy from existing policies would most likely have some kind of effect.”
“At this stage it’s fairly difficult to assess how it would happen, or what would happen,” he said. “But all I can say is we are, of course, carefully monitoring the election season in the United States, but I’ve had talks with many of my other colleagues from other countries, and I think everybody is doing the same.”
“So certainly all eyes will be riveted on that election this year.”
01:49
Chinese floating barrier blocks entrance to Philippine ships at South China Sea flashpoint
Also on Monday, the Philippines deployed a coastguard vessel to carry out a two-week patrol mission in waters north and east of the country to intensify its maritime presence and check on Chinese research vessels that were spotted in Benham Rise.
Benham Rise, which sits off the Philippines’ east coast, is a vast area declared by the United Nations in 2012 as part of the country’s continental shelf. Manila in 2017 renamed it “Philippine Rise”.
The Philippines’ coastguard said in a statement its vessel will patrol the waters to conduct maritime domain awareness, intensify its presence in the northern Luzon island and monitor local fishermen.
“We will also check the reported Chinese research vessels in Benham Rise,” coastguard spokesman Armando Balilo said.
Benham Rise, said to be rich in biodiversity and fish stocks, is not in the South China Sea and Beijing has made no claim to it.
Ray Powell, director of SeaLight at the Gordian Knot Centre for National Security Innovation, said on platform X on Friday that two Chinese research vessels left a port in Longxue Island in Guangzhou on February 26 and were “loitering” northeast of Benham Rise, within the Philippines exclusive economic zone.
There was no immediate comment from the Chinese embassy in the Philippines.
Additional reporting by Reuters
