Philippines won’t move an inch on South China Sea, Duterte tells Beijing

Name: Philippine coast guard confronts Chinese maritime ‘militia’ vessels in South China Sea
Uploaded: 2021-05-14T14:03:09.000Z
Duration: 1 min 5 s
Description: Philippine coast guard confronts Chinese maritime ‘militia’ vessels in South China Sea

Philippine president has rebuffed a call from China to withdraw vessels from a contested maritime area near a Chinese military installation

With pressure building on Manila’s relationship with Beijing he warns this could be where ‘our friendship ends’

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Philippine coastguard personnel monitor Chinese vessels anchored at Sabina Shoal, a South China Sea outcrop claimed by Manila. Photo: Philippine coastguard via AFP

Alan RoblesandReuters

Published: 10:03pm, 14 May 2021Updated: 11:34pm, 14 May 2021

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has rebuffed a call from China to withdraw vessels from disputed areas of the South China Sea – vowing not to move an “inch backward”.

The Philippines has boosted its presence in contested areas of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), including Thitu Island, near to a Chinese military installation, in defiance of the months-long presence of hundreds of Chinese boats it believes are manned by militia.

Duterte’s remarks in a televised address on Friday come as pressure builds on him to abandon his pursuit of close ties with China and stand up to what his defence chiefs say are blatant provocations.

This week Manila announced plans to build a logistics hub in Thitu, called Pag-asa by the Philippines, the second largest island in the Spratlys group. The hub would allow Philippine naval units to refuel and replenish on the island.

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Philippine coast guard confronts Chinese maritime ‘militia’ vessels in South China Sea

The Philippine military and coastguard have also beefed up patrols of the country’s maritime waters, and announced plans to set up surveillance cameras in certain areas.