The Philippines is looking at several options to strengthen its hold on the disputed Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea including refurbishing a grounded and rusting warship it uses as a military outpost, a move that would likely anger Beijing.
"All courses of actions to prolong our stay there are being considered... one of them is refurbishment," Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos, chief of the Philippine Western Command, said in joint news conference with the military chief, Romeo Brawner.
The Philippines intentionally grounded the World War Two-era warship Sierra Madre in 1999 as part of its sovereignty claim to the Second Thomas Shoal, which lies within its exclusive economic zone, and rotates a handful of troops through the ship.
China has urged the Philippines to fulfill a "promise" to tow away the grounded vessel, but Manila denied striking any agreement to abandon the shoal, which it calls Ayungin.
The Philippine's priority at the moment is to resume the rotation and resupply mission for its troops on the atoll, which would likely take place in two weeks, Carlos said.
"It is our prayer that there will be no water cannon incident, there will be less aggressive reception from the other side especially because of the international attention that this incident has generated," he said.
Japan, France, South Korea and the United States have expressed concern over the "dangerous" moves carried out by Chinese Coast Guard vessels against Manila's resupply boats on Aug. 5 including its use of water cannon.
China's actions forced one of the two boats hit by the water cannon to turn back, while the second boat reached the shoal, after it did a "drastic manoeuvre" to "escape near ramming attempts," the vessels' Philippine navy crew said.
"We were hit by the water cannon. The food supplies we were carrying like rice, vegetable and meat were drenched," said navy officer Ramsey Gutierrez, contradicting video footage China released showing otherwise.
Gutierrez was supposed to begin his first tour of duty at the shoal had his boat not been blocked by Chinese vessels.
The Philippines won an international arbitration award in 2016 against China's South China Sea sovereignty claim, after a tribunal ruled Beijing's sweeping claim had no legal basis, including at the Second Thomas Shoal.
China, which does not recognise the ruling, has built militarised, manmade islands in the South China Sea and its claim of historic sovereignty overlaps with the EEZs of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia.
© (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2023.
18 Comments
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TaiwanIsNotChina
There will be some new Chinese wrecked ships on those shoals soon for them to use.
Peter14
Rather than refurbishment, they need to build a specially designed vessel that can be sunk next to the current "outpost" and ensure it has a landing deck for up to Chinook class helicopters to make resupply issues a thing of the past. Like an oil rig being designed for purpose and towed to its location. This would be a military outpost with radar, SAM and anti ship missile systems to ensure no interference from other nations ships in Philippines territory at that location.
konjo4u
This is a ridiculous point of contention for PRC. It cannot possibly be worth the embarrassment.
OssanAmerica
Anything that gets Beijing angry is generally worth doing.
Desert Tortoise
US, Australian, Canadian and possibly even Japanese naval vessels should accompany Philippine resupply missions. Then make it clear through diplomatic channels without making any kind of public comment that would look like the west was backing China into a corner that if the Chinese attempt to interfere their ship(s) will be shouldered aside or even fired upon. Then do it!
deanzaZZR
@Desert Tortoise That's some Fantasy Island material there and a good way to start a war. I'm sure our friend Aussie Pete would be happy to send a Royal Australian Navy frigate or whatever they have to offer.
deanzaZZR
Undetermined
Pure provocation and what an embarrassment for the Philippines calling in Big Uncle for some muscle. US/Canadian/Aussie naval vessels firing on Chinese ships will quickly take us from Fantasy Island to the brink of all out war and nuclear confrontation.
stormcrow
Like sticking your country’s flag on top of a mountain. Brilliant idea!
TaiwanIsNotChina
Look at a map and feel that all Chinese should feel at trying to claim water and so much of it at that. I for one would be happy for this to be the cause of MAD.
TaiwanIsNotChina
*feel the shame
deanzaZZR
Please watch this important message from the Republic of China (Taiwan). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_fDk_Y8zQI&t=99s
TaiwanIsNotChina
You act like that excuses the PRC's actions. Feel the shame, Mr. Deanza, feel the shame.
EFD
Fill it it with concrete and call it an island. The CCP dies it. Why not other countries?
deanzaZZR
"The Tungsha (Pratas) Islands, Shisha (Pracel) Islands, Chungsha Islands and Nansha (Spratly) Islands as well as their surrounding waters are an inherent part of the Republic of China's (ROC) territory and waters, whether from the perspective of history, geography or international law. The ROC enjoys all rights over them in accordance with international law."
Just reporting the facts as seen from the perspective of Taipei.
TaiwanIsNotChina
Just deflecting from you. Feel the shame, Mr. Deanza
Rodney
They should have to pay rent to China if they do this.
Desert Tortoise
No they are not, and certainly not from the perspective of international law.
Desert Tortoise
The US Navy routinely, as in every week, flies P-8 patrol planes over China's man made bases. Under international maritime law a man made structure erected in international water has no territorial seas or territorial airspace. Because those reefs have nothing exposed at mean high tide they are by definition international waters no nation may ever possess. They will always be international waters and international airspace regardless of anything the Chinese government might claim or build on them. Knowing this the Chinese will make a lot of noise on the radio and maybe even in the press but they won't shoot at that P-8 because they are not stupid enough to commit an act of war against the US. The US has every right to fly over them and they know that even as their public statements say otherwise.
That is why I feel pretty confident that if the US, Australian, Canadian and other friendly navies escorted a Philippine resupply mission that Chinese coast guard ship would stand aside and do nothing.