80 Philippine marines were awarded medals, following heavy clashes with the Chinese coast guard in the South China Sea on Monday. – We will never allow ourselves to be intimidated or oppressed by anyone, says the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos. The clashes occurred at the disputed Second Thomas Shoal reef when a Chinese naval vessel collided with a Philippine supply vessel. A screenshot from a Philippine video purports to show the Chinese coast guard wielding knives and clubs against Filipinos in two speedboats that were traveling alongside the cargo ship. Photo: AP Run aground The Chinese tried to stop Philippine supplies to marines who “hold the fort” at the reef, which is also called Ayungin. The marines are deployed on the Philippine ship BRP Sierra Madre. It was run aground on purpose in 1999, to build up under the Filipinos’ claim to the area. The Philippine ship BRP Sierra Madre was run aground on purpose in 1999. Photo: Reuters – We have never, ever in Philippine history, surrendered to any foreign power. Marcos said this to applause when he visited a military headquarters on the island of Palawan today. The Philippines considers the Second Thomas Shoal reef, which is part of the Spratly Islands, to be within its economic zone. The Chinese, for their part, believe that this area, and most of the South China Sea, historically belongs to them. This claim was rejected by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague in 2016, but China does not respect the decision. A wounded Philippine Marine receives a medal from Army Chief General Romeo Brawner, on the island of Palawan. Photo: AP Lost a thumb 80 Filipinos who took part in the supply mission were awarded medals. Marcos said the situation “has become dangerous”, but urged them to continue doing their “duty to defend the nation”, writes the AFP news agency. The Chinese have previously used water cannons against Philippine vessels. Screenshots of what is believed to be video of the clashes on Monday show Chinese marines apparently fencing with knives and clubs against the Filipinos. One of the pictures shows someone holding an axe. A Filipino sailor lost a thumb in the incident. Second Thomas Shoal is about 20 miles from the Philippine island of Palawan, and about 100 miles from the Chinese island of Hainan. A screenshot of a video from the Philippine military purportedly shows a confrontation between the Chinese navy and Filipino sailors at the Second Thomas Shoal reef on Monday. Photo: AFP Defense alliance with the USA The latest confrontation has caused new concern that the USA may be drawn into the conflict, due to the defense alliance the country has with the Philippines. The defense alliance could come into effect when Philippine aircraft or vessels in the South China Sea are attacked. There have been several incidents between China and the Philippines that build up under the fear that the strategic South China Sea will become a conflict zone between the US and China. The US condemns China’s part in the situation. The Philippines nevertheless rejects that the defense alliance comes into force this time, because the incident is not interpreted as an “armed attack”. – We are not in the business of starting wars. Our great ambition is to create a peaceful and prosperous life for all Filipinos, says Marcos. He adds that the country is true to its Filipino nature, and holds firm to its desire to settle these matters peacefully. An aerial photo shows the Philippine ship BRP Sierra Madre. It has been run aground on the Second Thomas Shoal reef to emphasize the Filipinos’ position that they have a right to the area. Photo: Reuters New Chinese law The authorities in Manila say they are worried that Chinese forces will try to expel the marines from Second Thomas Shoal. Last weekend, a new Chinese law came into effect. It gives the Coast Guard the right to seize foreign ships that “illegally enter China’s territorial waters”. It also gives the right to keep foreign crew in custody for 60 days, AP writes. According to legislation from 2021, China’s coast guard can fire at foreign ships, if necessary. Neither the Philippines nor Vietnam, which also claim rights to parts of the South China Sea, see this legislation as valid. What is at stake are rights to fishing, oil and other natural resources, and the opportunity to establish military outposts. The South China Sea is very important for global shipping, as more than a third of all maritime trade globally is transported through this area. Hear also: Published 23.06.2024, at 23.11 Updated 23.06.2024, at 23.14
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The president of the Philippines is not intimidated by the collision with the Chinese navy – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
