The Philippines has raised concerns over alleged harassment by Chinese vessels targeting Filipino fishing boats within its exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, just ahead of planned joint military exercises with its allies. The Philippine Coast Guard’s spokesperson, Jay Tarriela, claims that on April 4, two Chinese coast guard ships “harassed” Filipino fishing vessels near the Iroquois Reef. The Chinese ships even pretended to be prepared to use water cannons to scare the Filipino fishermen.
Focusing on the precise location, Tarriela underlined that the event happened far inside the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), notably at Rozul Reef, located around 128 nautical miles off the coast of Palawan. Several maritime confrontations, including some involving water cannons, have been recorded in recent months, signaling increased tensions between the Philippines and China. These conflicts frequently center on claimed reefs filled with natural resources in the South China Sea.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has taken a strong stand against perceived Chinese encroachment while working to strengthen connections with Western countries, particularly the United States, since taking office in 2022. He had earlier declared that in the event of clashes that result in injuries to Filipino personnel and damage to vessels, the Philippines will take countermeasures. The Philippines is scheduled to organize combined naval and air maneuvers with the US, Japan, and Australia in the controversial area to promote regional cooperation and counter Chinese assertiveness.
In addition, the strategic significance of cooperative efforts in the region is highlighted by an impending trilateral summit in Washington, DC, featuring US President Joe Biden, President Marcos Jr., and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. The Japanese embassy in Manila confirmed the inclusion of “anti-submarine warfare training,” even though the entire scope of the exercises was not made public. Top US officials have reaffirmed their steadfast commitment to supporting the Philippines against any armed attack in the South China Sea, despite China’s assertions that the country is escalating tensions.
