Philippines needs to 'do more' than protest China's actions in South China Sea

27/6/2024 11:29

        Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Thursday that a June 17 incident at a disputed shoal in the South China Sea was not an "armed attack" by China against Manila's sailors and vessels, but the country needs to "do more" than protest.
        
        Marcos told reporters, "We have filed over a hundred protests, we have already made a similar number of demarche. We have to do more than just that."
        
        Marcos said, while not considered an armed attack, the Chinese coastguard conducted an "illegal action" in preventing a regular resupply of troops.
        
        A Philippine sailor suffered "serious injury" after what its military described as "intentional-high speed ramming" by the Chinese Coast Guard, aiming to disrupt a resupply mission for troops stationed on the Second Thomas Shoal on June 17.
        
        China's foreign ministry has disputed the Philippines' account, with a spokesperson saying last Thursday that the necessary measures taken by the coast guard were lawful and professional.
        
        China claims almost the entire South China Sea, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei.