In a recent incident near a disputed reef, the Philippines has accused the Chinese coast guard of attempting to block a government vessel delivering supplies to fishermen. This is the second such alleged incident in two weeks. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that the BRP Datu Sanday, which was supplying fuel to fishermen near the Scarborough Shoal, was harassed by a China Coast Guard vessel and three other Chinese ships on February 22.
According to the incident report filed by the PCG, three of the four Chinese vessels came within 100 meters (328 feet) of the Datu Sanday’s bow. The report also mentioned other dangerous maneuvers, including shadowing and vessel transponder jamming. Despite these attempts, the skipper of the BRP Datu Sanday demonstrated excellent seamanship skills and managed to evade the blocking attempts, as stated by Commo. Jay Tarriela, the Filipino Coast Guard spokesman on South China Sea issues.
This incident follows a similar encounter a week earlier when the Philippine Coast Guard reported that the BRP Datu Tamblot had faced a similar situation in the same area. The Scarborough Shoal, a triangular chain of reefs and rocks, has been a source of tension between the two countries since China seized it from the Philippines in 2012. Since then, Beijing has deployed patrol boats, which Manila claims harass Philippine vessels and prevent Filipino fishermen from accessing the fish-rich lagoon in the area.
China’s state-run Global Times took to social media to respond to the incident, stating that the China Coast Guard had repelled the Datu Sanday when it “illegally intruded into waters adjacent to China’s Huangyan Island,” using the Chinese name for the shoal. It is important to note that Scarborough Shoal is located 240 kilometers (150 miles) west of the Philippines’ main island of Luzon and nearly 900 kilometers from the nearest major Chinese land mass of Hainan.
China’s claim over almost the entire South China Sea has been a matter of contention, and it has disregarded an international tribunal ruling that declared its assertions to have no legal basis. The ongoing disputes in the region have raised concerns among neighboring countries and the international community, as they impact freedom of navigation, access to resources, and the overall stability of the area.
Efforts to resolve these disputes through diplomatic channels have been ongoing, but incidents like the recent one near the Scarborough Shoal highlight the challenges faced in maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea. It is crucial for all parties involved to engage in constructive dialogue and adhere to international laws and norms to ensure a peaceful resolution to these conflicts.
As the situation continues to evolve, it is essential for the international community to closely monitor developments in the South China Sea and support efforts towards a peaceful and diplomatic resolution. The freedom of navigation, respect for maritime boundaries, and the protection of the rights of all countries involved are fundamental principles that should guide any actions taken in the region.
Source: The Manila Times
