The Philippine Coast Guard is holding exercises in the South China Sea, according to Manila sources. A Philippine official said on April 25 that the exercise is being held to ensure that the Philippines can exercise “maritime jurisdiction” in the waters.
The Philippine Coast Guard said it deployed eight vessels with the Philippine Fisheries Agency to conduct training on navigation, small boat operations, maintenance and logistical operations at Scarborough Shoal (known in China as Huangyan Island) and Paixa Island (known in China as Zhongye Island). The exercise, conducted by the Philippine Coast Guard, comes days after the Philippine side lodged a diplomatic protest against the continued presence of Chinese vessels in the disputed waters near NiuYue Reef.
Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Armando Balilo said, “We are supporting the entire national approach to ensure our maritime jurisdiction.” He added that the Coast Guard will also conduct a medical mission to the residents of Paixa Island next week.
In addition, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said it filed two new diplomatic protests on the 23rd against China’s illegal and ongoing presence in Philippine waters. Earlier, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on the 19th that challenging China in the South China Sea would only lead to violence and that he only acts when the Chinese side drills for oil in disputed waters.
In his speech, Duterte said, “I’m not so interested in fishing now, I don’t think there are enough fish (there) to fight over.” Duterte, however, was eager to assure his domestic audience in the Philippines that “if they start drilling for oil there …… I will send my gray ships there to make a claim.”
“If we go there to claim our jurisdiction, it will be bloody,” Duterte said in his speech. “The occupation of the West Philippine Sea was accomplished through a single act of China not backing down,” he said. He added, “That’s the rule in international law. When you’re the first to leave, it means that’s no longer yours.”
Duterte said Beijing has not complied with the 2016 ruling of the International Court of Arbitration in The Hague. He also does not expect China to abide by any U.N. mandate. “Do you think China will just hand it over because the U.N. demands it?” He asked.
But Duterte sought to retain Philippine rights to explore for any oil or valuable minerals under the Spratlys. He said, “Will China be told that this is part of our agreement? If it’s not part of our agreement, I will drill for oil there too.” Duterte noted, “If they get the oil, that will be the time when we should act.”
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