Gen. Romeo Brawner, chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, speaks at a news conference after a command meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (not pictured) at the military headquarters in Manila on July 4, 2024.
Ted Alguib | AFP | Getty Images
Filipino soldiers will “respond appropriatelyand fend off Chinese Coast Guard ‘harassment’ at the disputed Second Thomas Shoal,” Armed Forces Commander of the Philippines Gen. Romeo Brauner said Thursday.
The warning comes after China’s coast guard seized and damaged two Philippine ships last month and injured military personnel According to Philippine officials, resupplies are being made to an outpost in the shoal.
Manila claims that China has been trying to disrupt supplies to a Philippine ship anchored in the shoal since 1999.
The latest clashes have led to an escalation of violence, with Chinese coast guard attacking Philippine coast guard with knives and axes.
“Under the rules of engagement (ROE), a person has the right to defend himself in any way…so, for example, if someone attacks, we will use the same degree of force that would allow us to defend ourselves,” Brawner said after meeting with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
Brauner added that this ratio means that if Philippine troops were attacked with knives, they would use similar weapons to defend themselves, although they would not resort to excessive force such as shooting.
Beijing appears to have taken a hostile stance against Philippine ships in the South China Sea, reportedly using Water cannons and pound Enter the ship.
Brauner It is said that there are said Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered his armed forces to work to ease tensions in the South China Sea.
Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo confirmed that the two sides were working hard to reach a “understanding or possible agreement“Cross the shallows.
Earlier this week, the country’s foreign ministry said that while “substantial progress” had been made in developing de-escalation measures, “There are still significant differences”.
During the peace talks, the Philippine military also called on China Return of 7 guns seized by China Coast Guard and pay approximately $1 million in damages.
Brauner said Manila also plans to charge China for surgery on a Filipino sailor who lost his right thumb during a confrontation with Chinese coast guard members.
A Beijing spokesman told a news conference on Thursday that the Philippines had launched an investigation. illegal and provocative tasks are on Chinese territory and therefore should “bear the consequences of their actions.”
Experts told CNBC that the recent incident in the shoal has increased concerns about an escalation in relations between the two countries, with Beijing pushing the limits of the existing Philippines-U.S. defense agreement, which pledges to protect the Philippines from “armed attacks.”
However, Rahman Yaacob of the Lowy Institute told CNBC’s “Squawk Box Asia” that de-escalating the situation was still in the best interests of all parties.
There are many disputed territories in the South China Sea, and other countries in the region are increasingly concerned about escalating tensions.
Philippine state media quoted Japanese Ambassador Kazuya Endo as saying that Tokyo Follow the talks closely Talks between Manila and Beijing noted that the South China Sea issue is a “legitimate concern” for Japan and the international community and affects regional peace and stability.
The Thai government on Thursday called for “dialogue and diplomacy“In the South China Sea during a bilateral meeting with Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo in Makati.
Beijing disputes Manila’s account of Second Thomas Shoal incident, spokesman says China has taken “necessary” measuressafeguard its sovereignty”, accusing the Philippines of invading Chinese waters.
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