This frame taken from handout video footage taken and released by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on August 25, 2024 shows a Chinese coast guard ship (right) in a confrontation with the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ship BRP Datu Sande near Sabina Shoal in disputed waters of the South China Sea. | Photo credit: AFP/Philippine Coast Guard
The Philippines’ defense secretary said on Monday (August 26, 2024) that China’s actions in the South China Sea are “clearly illegal.” This came after a clash in disputed waters on Sunday (August 25, 2024) during what Manila described as a resupply mission for fishermen.
“We have to expect this type of behavior from China because this is a conflict. We have to be prepared to anticipate and deal with these types of actions by China, which are clearly illegal, as we have said repeatedly,” Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro told reporters.
Manila’s South China Sea Task Force accused Chinese vessels of ramming and using water cannon on a Philippine fisheries vessel carrying food, fuel and medicine for Philippine fishermen near the Sabina Shoal.
The Chinese coast guard said the Philippine ship “ignored repeated serious warnings and deliberately approached and rammed the Chinese law enforcement boat”, resulting in the collision.
Asked if the latest incident would affect treaty obligations between the United States and the Philippines, Teodoro said: “It’s like putting the cart before the horse. We must prevent armed attack, that’s the more important thing.”
US officials, including President Joe Biden, have reaffirmed Washington’s “firm commitment” to assist the Philippines against armed attacks on its ships and troops in the South China Sea.
“Everybody is focusing too much on the armed attack, let’s make ourselves strong enough so that that doesn’t happen,” Teodoro said.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Monday is a public holiday in the Philippines.
Sunday’s clash has undermined efforts to rebuild trust and better manage disputes in the South China Sea after months of confrontation.
China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, including areas claimed by the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Brunei.
An international arbitration tribunal ruled in 2016 that China’s claim had no basis under international law, but Beijing has rejected the decision.