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Amid rising tensions between Manila and Beijing over disputed reefs and waters in the South China Sea, the Philippine defense chief said on Tuesday that China is the “biggest disruptor” to peace in Southeast Asia.
Gilberto Teodoro made the remarks at a meeting of the US Indo-Pacific Command following repeated clashes between Philippine and Chinese vessels in the waterway over the past 12 months.
China claims sovereignty over almost the entire area, ignoring the claims of other countries, including the Philippines, and international rulings that say its position has no legal basis.
China's claims include reefs and waters within the Philippine exclusive economic zone, stretching about 370 kilometers (200 nautical miles) from the Philippines' coastal waters.
“China is the biggest destroyer of international peace in the ASEAN region,” Teodoro said, referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
China has deployed ships to patrol the busy waterway and built militarized artificial islands to bolster its claims.
Foreign Minister Teodoro told reporters he urged other countries to condemn China's “illegal actions” until it bows to pressure to stop them.
“We need a collective consensus and strong condemnation of China,” Teodoro said.
“We are fighting a stronger enemy.”
His comments came a day after China said it had taken “control measures” against two Philippine Coast Guard vessels that had entered waters near Sabina Reef in the Spratly Islands.
The Philippine Coast Guard has dispatched two vessels to deliver food to ships anchored at the reef.
Manila coast guard spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriera told AFP on Monday that the mission had been forced to be abandoned due to “excessive” Chinese vessels and rough sea conditions.
Several clashes have occurred in recent days around Sabina Reef, 140km west of the Philippine island of Palawan and around 1,200km from Hainan island, the nearest major landmass to China.
Both countries have stationed coast guard vessels in the shallow waters in recent months, and Manila fears Beijing is trying to build artificial islands there.
Relations between the two countries have deteriorated as the government of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos confronts Chinese actions in disputed waters.
In June, the Philippine military said a Philippine sailor lost a thumb in a clash in which Beijing's coast guard seized or destroyed Philippine equipment, including firearms, near Second Thomas Reef, also in the Spratly Islands.
Pam/Am J/CWL
