The Philippines would “stand our ground” in a dispute with Beijing over the South China Sea, a top Philippine security official said yesterday, eight years after an international ruling against China in the territorial contest.
Tensions over the strategic waterway, a key passage for sea-borne trade, have soared in the past 18 months following a series of escalating confrontations between Philippine and Chinese ships.
The most serious happened on June 17, when China Coast Guard personnel wielding knives, sticks and an axe surrounded and boarded three Philippine Navy boats during a resupply mission to the Second Thomas Shoal (Renai Shoal, 仁愛暗沙) in the Spratly Islands.
Photo: AFP / Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)
While the countries agreed last week to “de-escalate tensions” over the disputed reefs and waters, Philippine National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano said yesterday that Manila would not back down.
“We will continue to stand our ground and push back against coercion, interference, malign influence and other tactics that seek to jeopardize our security and stability,” Ano said.
Ano was speaking at an event celebrating the anniversary of the ruling by The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration.
The Philippines filed a case against China in 2013. Three years later, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in Manila’s favor, declaring China’s expansive claims had no legal basis.
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