Opinion | Could Manila’s flip-flopping over Reed Bank make Beijing more aggressive?
- How nations react to ‘grey zone’ encounters with foreign aggressors can have a significant impact on their future interactions, says Collin Koh
Almost a month on from the ramming of a Philippine fishing boat by a Chinese vessel off Reed Bank, the disquiet in the Philippines has yet to show any signs of ending. But as Beijing and Manila sought to determine what happened on June 9, confusing and sometimes controversial statements emanated from Philippine officials, including President Rodrigo Duterte.
The mercurial leader, who is well known for his often blunt remarks wasn’t the first to respond when news of the incident emerged.
Philippine Defence Minister Delfin Lorenzana initially reacted angrily to the incident, describing it as “intentional” on the part of the Chinese. But when Duterte broke his silence and said it was only a “little maritime accident”, Lorenzana fell in line behind him.
In another twist, the fishing boat’s skipper retracted his initial allegations that the Chinese vessel had intentionally rammed him.
