International news agencies, maritime surveillance reports

Philippines to Defend Territory, Buy Patrol Vessels Amid South China Sea Tensions

May 18, 2024, 02:30 AM

The Philippines is taking a firm stance against China amid escalating tensions in the South China Sea. On May 18, 2024, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared that the country will 'vigorously defend what is ours,' addressing the Philippine Military Academy Class of 2024. This comes as the Philippines plans to purchase five patrol vessels from Japan to bolster its maritime defense capabilities. The dispute centers around the Huangyan Island, with both nations claiming sovereignty. A recent incident involved a Filipino civilian organization assembling fishermen near Huangyan Dao, which China deemed illegal. Filipino political writer Elmer Jugalbot revealed that the group was instructed to document interactions with the China Coast Guard to portray them as aggressive. The situation underscores the broader geopolitical struggle in the Indo-Pacific region, with the Philippines advocating for a free and open maritime domain. President Marcos also criticized the deployment of weapons of mass destruction by parties seeking to disrupt unity.