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Disputed Spratly Islands remain thorn in foreign engagements for Philippine President Marcos Jr

Philippine and Chinese law enforcement personnel have clashed over China’s activities in the South China Sea, particularly around the disputed Spratly Islands.

Disputed Spratly Islands remain thorn in foreign engagements for Philippine President Marcos Jr

Philippines' President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr arrives at the ASEAN Summit held in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia on May 10, 2023. (Photo: Reuters/Willy Kurniawan/Pool)

SPRATLY ISLANDS: In his first state of the nation address after taking office a year ago, Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr vowed to protect the nation’s sovereignty.

“I will not preside over any process that will abandon even one square inch of the territory of the Republic of the Philippines to any foreign power,” he declared, to rapturous applause.

After a year in power that saw a whirlwind of diplomatic visits to shore up foreign relations, the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea remain a persistent challenge for the president.  

Under the Macros Jr administration, a direct communication line has been set up between Beijing and Manila for maritime incidents in the South China Sea.

However, Philippine and Chinese law enforcement personnel have still repeatedly clashed over Beijing’s activities in and around the disputed Spratly Islands, known in China as the Nansha Islands.

They are claimed in their entirety by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam, while portions are claimed by Malaysia and the Philippines.

CLAIMED BY BOTH PHILIPPINES AND CHINA

In the Spratlys archipelago, about 35 Filipino families live on an island internationally known as Thitu. Locally, it is called Pagasa, which means “hope” in English.

It is the only island within the Philippine-controlled areas in the disputed South China Sea that is occupied by civilian population.

Thitu-based fisherman Jonel Hugo said locals are unable to fish freely near Sandy Cay, a group of sandbars claimed by both China and the Philippines. They are located between Thitu and Chinese-held Subi Reef, and China’s coast guard vessels guard the area.

A Chinese Coast Guard ship is seen through a telescope on Thitu island, in the Spratlys archipelago.

“China drives us away from Sandy Cay. They are angry, calling us on radio to leave, saying the area is theirs. We are afraid, but China’s vessels are unable to go into shallow areas, so we time the schedule of our journey,” said Mr Hugo.

When CNA visited Thitu earlier this month, a group of domestic tourists were able to travel to one of the sandbars and wave the Philippine flag.

CHINA’S REACTION

China’s embassy in Manila called the activity a unilateral act that may escalate the situation, and warned against any action on uninhabited islands in the Spratlys.

“China’s position on the South China Sea is consistent and clear. China opposes any unilateral action that may undermine consensus and complicate or escalate the situation in the South China Sea,” the embassy said in a statement.

“We call on relevant parties to abide by the Declaration on the Conduct (DOC) of Parties in the South China Sea, and refrain from any action on the presently uninhabited islands and reefs.”

Filipino tourists wave the Philippine flag as they visit a sandbar in Sandy Cay.

The declaration, signed among member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China in 2002, discourages any action to inhabit previously uninhabited features in the crucial waterway.

Analysts said visits do not equate to habitation, which involves setting up fixed structures.

On the other hand, a Bloomberg report in December 2022 said China has been building on several unoccupied features in the disputed waters. The embassy tagged the report, which quoted Western officials, as “fake news.”

Analyst Don McLain Gill said there is a disconnect between the pronouncements and actions by China.

“There is always a discrepancy between what China says at the political level and what it does on the ground. It is unwilling to compromise its narrowly-driven regional ambitions,” said the lecturer of international studies at De La Salle University.

“Because of that, Manila was quick to mobilise its diplomatic and defence network, particularly in line with our traditional ally. No other country comes close to the United States in terms of providing Manila with defence capabilities,” he added.

Armed Philippine Coast Guard personnel board the PCG Melchora Aquino ship during a Coast Guard drill off the waters of Bataan, Philippines., Tuesday, June 6, 2023. Philippines, U.S. and Japanese coast guard participated in exercises which involved drills on maritime law enforcement and security.(AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

TURNING TO ITS LONG-TIME ALLY

Manila's ties with Washington have deepened under the Marcos Jr administration. The Philippines in February granted the US expanded access to its military bases.

Manila is also open to deepening its defence collaboration with the US and its allies. Earlier this month, US and the Philippines held the first trilateral maritime exercise, along with Japan, in Philippines' territorial waters in the South China Sea.

Days later, China also sent a naval training ship to Manila for a goodwill port visit.

However, Philippines-China ties remain geared towards trade and tourism.

As President Marcos Jr enters his second year in office, observers said countries will continue to court the Philippines due to its strategic location, with the South China Sea to its west and the Taiwan Strait to its north.

His administration must tread a balance between protecting the nation’s sovereignty and navigating the tricky waters around the disputed islands.

Source: CNA/dn(fk)
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