South China Sea: Philippines Place Buoys in Contested Waters

The Philippines placed navigational buoys in its exclusive economic zone within the highly contested South China Sea. The buoys are the latest effort by Manila to reassert the country’s sovereignty over the Spratly Islands.

The spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard said on Sunday that the PCG had placed navigational buoys within the country’s EEZ to assert its sovereignty over the Spratly Islands in the disputed waters. The PCG set up five navigational buoys that carry the Philippine flag from May 10 to May 12 in five areas of the 322-kilometer zone, including the Whitsun Reef.

“This move highlights the Philippines’ unwavering resolve to protect its maritime borders and resources and contribute to the safety of maritime trade,” said PCG spokesperson on South China Sea issues Commodore Jay Tarriela.

This follows the PCG’s move in May last year in placing four navigational buoys on four islands in the Spratlys.

The move also comes at a time when China has increasingly taken more aggressive actions in the disputed waters. Beijing claims the majority of the South China Sea, citing the so-called nine-dash-line, angering the surrounding countries that also have overlapping claims in parts of the waters. An international tribunal ruled that China’s claims have no basis under international law, which Beijing has ignored and continued to impose its control over the waterway through the building of artificial islands and military outposts on unoccupied islands.

The move also comes at a time when Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is seeking closer relations with longtime treaty ally the United States. Washington has also opposed China’s claims over the majority of the body of water.

Last week, during a visit to Washington, US President Joe Biden assured Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the US’ “ironclad” commitment to the defense of the Philippines. Marcos Jr. stressed that it was only “natural” for his country to be close to the US in what is “arguably the most complicated geopolitical situation in the world right now.”

Following the meeting between the two leaders, Biden and Marcos Jr. released a joint statement, touting the “historic momentum in US-Philippine relations and resolve to continue expanding engagement and cooperation on all issues of common concern.”

Photo by Philippine Coast Guard/Wikimedia Commons(CC by 2.0)