South China Sea: Philippines says Chinese vessels 'swarming' in disputed waters 'unacceptable'

The Philippines’ defense chief criticized the alleged “swarming” of Chinese boats in the highly contested waters of the South China Sea. The alleged presence of multiple Chinese boats in the contested waters is another sign of maritime tensions in the long-running dispute over the body of water.

The Philippine Department of National Defense chief Jose Faustino issued a statement Wednesday criticizing the presence of Chinese vessels in the contested waters. Faustino also stressed that the Philippines would not cede any inch of its territory.

“The President’s directive to the Department is clear – we will not give up a single inch of Philippine territory. We continue to conduct routine maritime and aerial patrols in the WPS. Information gathered in these patrols are submitted to relevant authorities for appropriate action,” said the statement, referring to the part of the South China Sea that it claims control over as the West Philippine Sea.

“Our lines remain open to dialogue. However, we maintain that activities which violate our sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction, and undermine the peace and stability of the region are unacceptable,” said the statement.

China claims the majority of the South China Sea and has sought to further assert its claims over the body of water by building artificial islands that serve as its military outposts. China’s claims have angered the surrounding countries, including Taiwan, who also have respective claims to parts of the waters.

An international tribunal in 2016 ruled in favor of the Philippines, saying that China’s so-called historical claims have no basis in international law. Beijing has rejected the ruling and pushed forward with its sovereignty claims.

Faustino said the was “great concern” over reports of multiple Chinese boats in the Iroquis Reef and the Sabina Shoal that fall under Philippine territory. This follows last week’s report by the Philippine Daily Inquirer in which a Philippine military commander confirmed the presence of Chinese vessels that are said to have militias on board in the reef and the shoal early this year.

Early this month, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the country needs to find a way to exploit the South China Sea’s resources without the need to strike a deal with China. Marcos Jr. stressed that the Philippines has a right to exploit energy reserves with a part of the body of water under its control.