Philippine Coast Guard Deploys Vessels Amid Escalating Tensions in the South China Sea

In response to a surge in the number of Chinese maritime militia vessels within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has deployed two of its vessels to monitor and address the situation. The vessels were dispatched after the PCG observed what it deemed an “alarming” increase in the number of Chinese boats at the Whitsun Reef, referred to by Manila as the Julian Felipe Reef.

The PCG’s statement revealed that the number of Chinese maritime militia vessels has risen to over 135, up from 111 in November, causing concerns about the maritime security and sovereignty of the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea. The West Philippine Sea encompasses the waters in the South China Sea falling within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile EEZ.

Despite an international tribunal invalidating China’s claim to 90% of the South China Sea in 2016, Beijing refuses to recognize the ruling and has continued to assert its presence in the region. China’s construction of artificial islands and military installations in disputed waters has heightened tensions with neighboring countries, including Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Brunei, all of which lay claim to parts of the sea.

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PCG MONITORS ILLEGAL PRESENCE OF MORE THAN 135 CHINESE MARITIME MILITIA VESSELS IN JULIAN FELIPE REEF

On November 13, the PCG monitored 111 Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) swarming the area of Julian Felipe Reef, and this number increased to 125 based on the last monitoring of… pic.twitter.com/hlFvaOWW2z

— Jay Tarriela (@jaytaryela) December 3, 2023

The recent deployment of PCG vessels follows joint air and sea patrols conducted by the Philippines with the United States and Australia in the South China Sea. These actions have further strained relations with China, which accuses the Philippines of involving “foreign forces” in patrolling the contested waters. Manila, on the other hand, maintains that its maritime activities are well within its rights and are a response to what it perceives as China’s “aggressive activities” in the region.

As the Philippines escalates efforts to counter perceived Chinese aggression, the situation in the South China Sea remains a contentious naval flashpoint, raising concerns about potential conflict between China and the United States in the strategically significant region. The Chinese Embassy in Manila has not yet provided a comment on the recent developments.