Photo from Philippine Navy
MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines is keeping all options open, including closer coordination with allies, in protecting its sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea against continuing incursions by China, according to the Department of National Defense (DND) on Thursday (April 8).
More than 200 Chinese maritime militia vessels have been spotted at Julian Felipe (Whitsun) Reef in the West Philippine Sea in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in early March.
The Philippines has repeatedly called on China to remove the ships at the boomerang-shaped reef but was largely ignored. Instead of leaving, the Chinese vessels simply moved to different parts of the Philippines’ EEZ to make it appear that they were not massing up.
“As the situation in the West Philippine Sea evolves, we keep all our options open in managing the situation, including leveraging our partnerships with other nations such as the United States,” DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said in a statement Thursday.
“We remain committed to protecting and defending our national interests, while upholding the security and stability in the region through peaceful and rules-based approach,” he added.
The United States, which has earlier expressed support to the Philippines, warned China against continued aggression in the area, saying any armed attack against the Philippines will trigger US obligations to respond militarily under the 1952 US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty.
The Philippines’ defense department said it welcomed the US expression of support, saying it showed the strength of the alliance between the two countries.
“The US admonition to China against the use of force on Philippine public vessels and aircraft, which are performing their constitutional mandate to protect and defend Philippine rights in the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, is an additional affirmation of the long-standing partnership between our two countries,” said Andolong.
“This also demonstrates the strength of our alliance and mutual commitment to promote the rules-based international order,” he added.
The Philippines is in constant talks with the US on mutual defense issues, Andolong said.
“Both parties are committed to undertake their obligations under the Mutual Defense Treaty so that neither stands alone in these issues involving the two states’ inherent right of self defense, individually and collectively,” he said.
The Philippines has been long urged by critics and observers to team up with other countries like the United States to push back against China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea.
President Rodrigo Duterte, however, has been averse to joint activities, like maritime patrols, in the West Philippine Sea, and limited it only to exercises within the country’s territorial waters or within 12 nautical miles from the coastlines.