Published October 15, 2023
As tensions continue to rise in the West Philippine Sea, China’s actions suggest a possible threat of force against the Philippines, according to a maritime law expert. The concern comes in the wake of a recent incident where a vessel from the People’s Liberation Army Navy encroached upon a Philippine Coast Guard resupply team in Ayungin Shoal. The expert posits that these actions are an attempt to provoke the Philippines into taking drastic measures, thereby providing China a pretext to escalate the situation.
Provocative Actions and International Law
The maritime expert, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the topic, detailed that China’s actions could be seen as a diplomatic strategy to pressurize the Philippines into a corner. China’s encroachments into the West Philippine Sea have been frequent and increasing in intensity, which is perceived as an attempt to assert control over the disputed maritime area.
“This is a classic maneuver by China,” the expert stated. “By forcing the Philippines to respond, they create a situation that justifies their narrative of being threatened, thereby excusing any subsequent escalation on their part.” The expert suggested that the Philippines should maintain its stance based on international law and peaceful dispute resolution mechanisms, rather than being drawn into a reactionary position.
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SOURCE: https://bnn.network/world/china/china-provoking-philippines-in-west-philippine-sea-expert-suggests/
RELATED: Philippine Navy warns off China Navy vessel shadowing it near Pag-asa Island
The BRP Benguet (LS507) warns off China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy Ship 621 (PLAN 621) after it shadowed the former at an 80-yard distance and attempted to cross LS507’s bow with a CPA (closest point of approach) of 350 yards at 5.8 nautical miles southwest of Pag-asa Island on Friday, October 13, 2023. Screenshot from AFP video
Published October 15, 2023
A Philippine Navy vessel warned off a China Navy vessel for conducting “dangerous maneuvers” off Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea, the military said Sunday.
In a statement, Armed Forces public affairs chief Lieutenant Colonel Enrico Ileto said that on Friday, October 13, the BRP Benguet (LS507) issued consecutive radio challenges to China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy Ship 621 (PLAN 621), which was shadowing the Philippine Navy vessel at an 80-yard distance.
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SOURCE: https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/885256/philippine-navy-warns-off-china-navy-vessel-shadowing-it-off-pag-asa-island/story/
RELATED: Philippines Hits Back at China’s ‘Propaganda’ in South China Sea Dispute
A Chinese naval militia vessel, left, patrols near the Scarborough Shoal, as a Philippine fishing boat, top right, is seen anchored nearby on September 28, 2023. China’s claim that it chased off a Philippine gunboat in the South China Sea is propaganda, a Philippine official has said.
Published October 12, 2023
China‘s claim that it chased off a Philippine gunboat in the South China Sea is mere propaganda, a Philippine official has said.
In the latest episode in the ongoing tit-for-tat over the sea’s disputed waters, the Chinese coast guard asserted on Tuesday that one of its vessels had driven a Philippine naval ship away from Scarborough Shoal, a feature that has been a focal point of the maritime feud between the two countries, after warning it to turn back.
General Romeo Brawner, who heads the Armed Forces of the Philippines, told the media later that day that while one of the country’s ships had indeed been patrolling near the shoal, it had not been chased away but had stayed its course unfazed.
“It did not stop, nor did it change direction. It continued on its mission,” he said, adding that the two vessels had not been in close proximity.
The latest incident, or non-incident, harkens back to when China claimed to have driven the USS Benfold out of waters around the Paracel Islands, which are claimed by both China and Vietnam. The U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet rebuffed the claim, saying the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer had carried out its mission “in accordance with international law and then continued on to conduct normal operations in international waters.”
