Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has strongly condemned China’s recent actions over the disputed Scarborough Shoal, labeling them as “illegal and reckless.” The shoal, a critical area in the South China Sea, has long been a point of contention between the Philippines and China. Marcos Jr. emphasized that China’s aggressive maneuvers, particularly those involving its air force, not only violate international law but also endanger regional stability. He criticized China’s escalating military activities in the area, describing them as a direct threat to Philippine sovereignty and a blatant disregard for the rules-based international order.
The Scarborough Shoal, a triangular chain of reefs and rocks located 240 kilometers west of the Philippines’ main island of Luzon, is significantly closer to the Philippines than to China, with the nearest major Chinese landmass, Hainan, nearly 900 kilometers away. Despite this, China has continued to assert its claim over the area, deploying military assets and harassing Filipino vessels and aircraft. Marcos Jr. underscored the strategic importance of the shoal for the Philippines and reiterated his government’s commitment to defending the country’s territorial rights. He called for international support to uphold the rule of law in the South China Sea and to counter China’s increasingly bold and destabilizing actions in the region
On Sunday, August 11, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. condemned the “illegal and reckless” actions taken by China’s air force against a Filipino military plane patrolling near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. The incident, which occurred on Thursday, involved two Chinese aircraft executing a “dangerous maneuver” and dropping flares in the path of a Philippine Air Force turboprop. This aggressive act, according to the Philippine military, put the lives of the Filipino crew at significant risk. Despite the hostility, the patrol plane was able to return safely to its base.
In a strongly worded statement, Marcos Jr. expressed deep concern over the incident, emphasizing that the actions of the Chinese Air Force were “unjustified, illegal, and reckless.” He underscored that the Philippine aircraft was conducting a routine maritime security operation within Philippine sovereign airspace, making China’s aggressive maneuvers particularly alarming. Marcos Jr. highlighted the danger such incidents pose, not only to the safety of military personnel but also to the stability of the region’s airspace.
In response, China defended its actions, claiming that its naval and air forces had acted lawfully in driving away the Philippine plane after issuing “repeated warnings.” However, this justification has been met with skepticism and concern in Manila, as Marcos Jr. continues to advocate for a peaceful and rules-based approach to resolving disputes in the South China Sea. The incident has heightened tensions between the two nations, further complicating the already volatile situation in the region.
The South China Sea is a strategically crucial region where China seeks unimpeded control to ensure its submarine fleet, based in Hainan, can access the deeper waters of the western Pacific. Tensions have escalated due to frequent clashes between Chinese and Philippine vessels, as China attempts to restrict access to the area. With other nations like Vietnam and Indonesia also laying claim to parts of the South China Sea, the situation has rapidly internationalized, heightening regional tensions and complicating the geopolitical landscape.
