Published:
May 14, 2023 20:40 GMT
The installation of the floating beacons comes amid increasing friction between Manila and Beijing.
Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tarriela advertisement this Sunday the placement of five navigation buoys in what the country considers its exclusive economic zone near the disputed archipelago of the Spratly Islands, in the South China Sea.
The Task Force Kaligtasan sa Karagatan (TF KsK) of the @coastguardph has achieved another milestone in securing the West Philippine Sea. They have successfully installed five navigational buoys on critical areas – Patag Island, Balagtas Reef, Kota Island, Panata Island, and Juan… pic.twitter.com/Ge3riQDqXK
—Jay Tarriela (@jaytaryela) May 14, 2023
The floating beacons with the Philippine national flag They were mounted on May 10-12 in the vicinity of the Patag, Panata, and Kota islands, as well as near the Balagtas and Juan Felipe (also known as Whitsun) reefs.
“The installation of these buoys […] means sovereign rights and the country’s jurisdiction over the Exclusive Economic Zone. This move underscores the Philippines’ unwavering determination to protect its borders and resources and contribute to the security of maritime trade”, stressed Tarriela.
Frictions with China on the rise
The placement of the floating beacons occurs amid growing friction between the Philippines and China over the disputed Spratly Islands, where Beijing has created various artificial islets and military bases. Apart from these two nations, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam and Taiwan, considered by China as part of its territory, also claim their rights to the area.
At the end of April, Manila and Beijing were embroiled in a new cross of accusations due to an incident that occurred on the 23rd between ships of its coast guards that were sailing in the area of the disputed islands.
The climate of tensions is also fueled by the position of the current president of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who advocates developing closer relationships with the US, including in the field of security.
- Philippines would be critical to the US when it comes to deterring and responding to a possible attack by Beijing against Taiwan, since it is the closest country to the island among all its allies in the Indo-Pacific (Australia, South Korea, Japan and Thailand).
- It is estimated that through the South China Sea, which has abundant hydrocarbon and fishing resources, about three trillion dollars pass through each year in maritime trade.
