Global Courant 2023-05-14 11:09:12
MANILA (Reuters) – The Philippines has placed navigational buoys in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) to assert sovereignty over the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, a Coast Guard spokesman said on Sunday.
The move comes amid China’s increasingly aggressive actions in the South China Sea as Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr pursues closer ties with the United States, an ally of the treaty.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said it deployed five national flag buoys from May 10 to 12 in five areas within the 322 km zone, including the Pentecost Reef, where hundreds of Chinese naval vessels docked. 2021.
“This move underscores the unwavering determination of the Philippines to protect its maritime borders and resources and to contribute to the security of maritime trade,” said Commodore Jay Tarriela, the Coast Guard’s spokesman for South China issues. Sea, on Twitter.
The Chinese embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In May 2022, the Coast Guard placed five navigation buoys on four islands in the Spratlys.
China’s claim to sovereignty over almost all of the South China Sea was invalidated in 2016 by an international arbitration ruling.
Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims in the Spratlys, where China has dredged sand to build islands on reefs and equipped them with missiles and airstrips.
Beijing has been deploying hundreds of coast guard and fishing vessels in disputed areas for years.
(Reporting by Neil Jerome Morales; editing by Clarence Fernandez)
