Marcos: China’s policy on ‘trespassers’ an escalation of SCS tension

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said Beijing was escalating tensions in the South China Sea (SCS) with its new policy authorizing its coast guard to detain “trespassers” who cross what it claims are its borders in the disputed sea.

Speaking to reporters at a press briefing here, Marcos said the new policy was “worrisome.” He earlier called it “unacceptable.”

READ: Marcos: China’s new rule vs trespassers ‘unacceptable’

“The new policy of threatening to detain our own citizens, that is different. That is an escalation of the situation,” he said.

Beijing said it would detain foreigners who would trespass in its waters in the SCS for up to 60 days without trial starting June this year.

READ: Marcos ‘horrified’ by idea of ‘secret agreement’ between China, PH 

It also warned that those “suspected of endangering national security and interests, disrupting public order, or engaging in other illegal criminal activities” could also be detained for up to 30 days.

Furthermore, Marcos said that Beijing’s 4-month fishing ban in the SCS, including parts of the West Philippine Sea, was nothing new.

“Well, it’s just an extension again of their claim that this is all the maritime territory of China. So, it is nothing new,” he said.

The Philippines has already filed a diplomatic protest against China’s annual fishing moratorium in the SCS, including areas within Manila’s exclusive economic zone.

In the same press briefing, the President also said the government was trying all options to ease tensions at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal and Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal.

He even admitted there were backchannel talks with China in the face of Beijing’s growing assertiveness in the disputed sea.

“Yes, of course, there are. I have said it many times. You should try everything. You don’t know what effort is going to be successful,” he said.

“So, as any point of contact that I can establish, I will use it, and at every level, the leaders’ level, at the ministerial, sub ministerial, private as long as it gives us, brings us progress in terms of resolving these such as water cannoning and lasers and barrier putting, etc.,” he added.

He said the negotiations should start with “allowing our fishermen to fish.”

“Let’s start with that. And if we can get to that, then we can move to the next step and to see if there is a way to resolve all these claims and so that we can all go about our business in a peaceful way and continue to try and develop our countries,” he said.

“There are always, always efforts at every level,” he added.

Marcos also said that the Philippines’ growing alliance with other nations proves that Manila is not alone in rejecting Beijing’s sweeping claims in the SCS.

“Marami tayong kakampi. Ganoon lang kasimple ‘yon. Imbis na boses lang ng Pilipinas, boses ng marami and that is always important,” he said.

(We have many allies. It’s that simple. Instead of just the Philippines’ voice, it’s also the voice of many, and that is always important.)