South China Sea: Philippines accuses Beijing of ‘deliberately stirring up trouble’ in disputed waters

Manila said China is ‘maliciously inciting hype’ in the waterway, which was wide enough for both countries to peacefully coexist

Beijing said Philippine ships had illegally intruded into waters near the Second Thomas Shoal, and it took control measures, prompting condemnation from the US

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A Chinese coastguard ship approaches a Philippine coastguard vessel (foreground), causing a minor collision, in the vicinity of Second Thomas Shoal on March 5. Photo: Philippine coastguard via AP

Published: 2:21pm, 6 Mar 2024Updated: 5:01pm, 6 Mar 2024

The Philippines on Wednesday accused China of “deliberately stirring up trouble” in the South China Sea.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr said he sees Chinese actions in the South China Sea with “great alarm”, after recent confrontations between the two countries in the contested waters.

“We continue to view with great alarm this continuing dangerous manoeuvres and dangerous actions that are being done against our seamen, our coastguard,” Marcos said in an official transcript of his remarks to reporters.

Jonathan Malaya, spokesperson for a Manila task force on South China Sea, also said China is “maliciously inciting hype” while reiterating the Philippines will not be deterred from exercising its maritime rights.

He added the waterway was wide enough for both countries to peacefully coexist.

Malaya’s remarks came a day after the Philippines accused China’s coastguard of harassing, blocking and firing water cannon at Manila’s vessels carrying out a routine resupply mission for Filipino troops stationed at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea.