‘We have the right to defend ourselves’: Philippines, China tensions rise

[RYAN ROBERTSON]
THE CHINESE COAST GUARD SAYS FILIPINO MARINES POINTED GUNS AT THEM… THE PHILIPPINES ARMED FORCES SAYS ITS MARINES WERE JUST TAKING A DEFENSIVE STANCE…
BECAUSE THE CHINESE WERE TRYING TO STEAL SUPPLIES MEANT FOR THE MARINES ABOARD A SHIP USED AS AN OUTPOST IN THE DISPUTED SECOND THOMAS SHOAL.

NEWLY RELEASED VIDEO APPEARS TO SHOW TWO SMALL CHINESE VESSELS MAKING AGGRESSIVE AND EVASIVE MANEUVERS IN THE OPEN OCEAN WHILE TRYING TO RETRIEVE SOME AIR-DROPPED SUPPLIES LAST MONTH.
ACCORDING TO A PHILIPPINE NAVY SPOKESMAN, THE CHINESE PERSONNEL ON BOARD THE BOATS LATER DUMPED THE ITEMS IN THE WATER.

CHINESE BOATS reportedly APPROACHED WITHIN FIVE TO 10 METERS OF THE SIERRA MADRE — THE VESSEL MANILA INTENTIONALLY GROUNDED AT THE DISPUTED SECOND THOMAS SHOAL IN 1999.

ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES CHIEF OF STAFF, ROMEO BRAWNER, CLARIFIED THAT THE MARINES DREW THEIR WEAPONS AS A “PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE” IN SELF-DEFENSE. BRAWNER SAYS THIS ACTION ALIGNS WITH THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT.

GENERAL ROMEO BRAWNER JR.
ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES CHIEF OF STAFF
“It was just in preparation for self-defense in case something happens because they were very close. We have the right to defend ourselves.”

BRAWNER EMPHASIZED THE MARINES MAINTAINED “PROFESSIONALISM, RESTRAINT, AND DISCIPLINE UNDER PROVOCATION.”

CHINA CLAIMS historic rights over NEARLY ALL OF THE SOUTH CHINA SEA, INCLUDING AREAS LIKE THE SECOND THOMAS SHOAL — DESPITE THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA AND A 2016 RULING IN THE HAGUE .

THE RESOURCE-RICH SOUTH CHINA SEA IS ALSO contested BY MALAYSIA, BRUNEI, AND VIETNAM. BEIJING’S CLAIMS, HOWEVER, OVERLAP WITH THE EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONES OF ALL THESE COUNTRIES.

TO ENFORCE THEIR CLAIM — CHINA DEPLOYS HUNDREDS OF VESSELS TO PATROL THE AREA — During ONE OF THE clashes, Chinese ships shot high-pressure water cannons at Philippine forces.
CHINA’S FOREIGN MINISTRY ASSERTS PHILIPPINE ACTIVITIES AT THE SHOAL, WHICH IT CALLS REN’AI REEF, ARE ILLEGAL.

MAO NING
CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON
“The Philippines sending vessels to Ren’ai is in itself illegal, the Philippines is escalating the situation and we cannot accept it.”

BEIJING ALSO ACCUSES MANILA OF JEOPARDIZING REGIONAL SECURITY AND STABILITY THROUGH ITS CLOSE TIES WITH THE US, INCLUDING PLACING MID-RANGE MISSILES IN THE PHILIPPINES DURING A JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE IN APRIL.

FOR MORE OF OUR UNBIASED, STRAIGHT FACT REPORTING ABOUT THE TENSIONS IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA–BE SURE TO DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP OR VISIT US AT SAN – DOT – COM.

FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS, I’M RYAN ROBERTSON.