Philippines Asserts Sovereignty Over South China Sea Outposts

The Philippines has declared its intention to maintain and resupply its outposts in the South China Sea without seeking permission from any other nation, reaffirming its commitment to upholding sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the Second Thomas Shoal.

National Security Adviser Secretary Eduardo Ano, speaking on behalf of the Philippines’ national security council, emphasized that operations within the country’s territorial waters and exclusive economic zone would continue unabated, despite any foreign interference or intimidation.

In response to China’s suggestion that the Philippines should notify Beijing before accessing certain areas, Secretary Ano dismissed such proposals as “absurd, nonsense, and unacceptable,” asserting, “We do not and will never need China’s approval for any of our activities therein.”

China’s foreign ministry had indicated that Manila could deliver supplies and evacuate personnel if prior notification was provided to Beijing. However, the Philippine agency reiterated its stance, stating that it would not be deterred by such requirements.

While maintaining its position of sovereignty, the Philippines expressed willingness to engage in dialogue and peaceful negotiations to resolve disputes in the entirety of the South China Sea.

The recent tensions escalated when the Philippine coast guard accused its Chinese counterpart of obstructing efforts to evacuate a sick member of its armed forces in the South China Sea. This incident marks the latest development in the longstanding territorial disputes with China, which asserts extensive claims over the South China Sea, a vital conduit for global shipping commerce valued at over $3 trillion annually.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that China’s claims had no legal basis, a decision that Beijing has consistently rejected.