By Sonny Fernandez with a report from Jessica Gross
DFA Sec. Enrique Manalo has observed increasing tension between US and China during the Munich Security Conference (MSC) from February 17-19, 2023. Video courtesy of MSC
Philippines Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo drew attention to the sharpening US-China rivalry on the global political stage during a premier international security conference in Germany recently.
In this PTV4 news report, China Coast Guard is seen directing military-grade laser at the Philippine Coast Guard BRP Malapascua last February 6.
This followed the latest incident in the West Philippine Sea that caught global attention when China Coast Guard (CGG) aimed a military-grade laser at the crew of Philippines Coast Guard (PCG) BRP Malapascua last February 6.
Manalo observed that "all of us are aware of the sharpening US-China rivalry not only in Asia but also in the world."
Manalo emphasized in the 59th Munich Security Conference (MSC) on February 17, that "the Philippines always advocate a rules-based maritime order based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea."
Manalo was among the lead discussants at the security conference.
In the panel discussion on "Defending the UN Charter and the Rules-Based International Order", Manalo confirmed that every day, "there are still, many of that occurring in the South China Sea, and there are daily incidents, as far as we see it, of cases of harassment or land reclamation."
He complained that as a result, these harassment incidents "have been depriving the Philippines the use of our Exclusive Economic Zone."
Manalo complains of daily Chinese harassment or land reclamation in the West Philippine Sea "depriving the country of the use of our Exclusive Economic Zone." Video courtesy of MSC
Manalo sought the support of the international community in the face of these challenges in the "context of affirming the need for rules-based order."
He called on the UN to initiate discussions and debate on "rule and order to prevail on the maritime domain on the South China Sea and to talk about UNCLOS."
This he said will help ensure "that any disputes or conflicts are settled through the rule of law, through peaceful means and not through coercive moves."
PCG was on routine mission to deliver food and other logistics to BRP Sierra Madre stationed in Ayungin Shoal when CGG tried to block it and beamed green laser, momentarily blinding the crew.
President Marcos Jr. summoned China Ambassador to the Philippines and lashed out at the Chinese maritime behavior saying "the laser-pointing incident was only a part of what we are seeing as an intensifying or escalating of the actions of the marine militia of China, the coast guard of China and the navy of China."
However, Marcos Jr also was not keen on activating the Ph-US Mutual Defense Pact as the latest flare-up is not sufficient to activate it.
DFA filed its eighth diplomatic protest this year urging China to stop its "aggressive activities."
US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said China's action was "provocative and unsafe," as it "directly threatens regional peace and security, infringes upon freedom of navigation in the South China Sea as guaranteed under international law."
Australia, Japan, Canada, Germany, Denmark and the United Kingdom also expressed alarm over the latest sea feud.
Reacting to the Chinese green-laser harassment of PCG, a retired Filipina in Germany believes it's about time for the Philippine government to be more aggressive when faced with a similar situation in the future.
Pinay Victoria Villar-Demmer who has lived in Germany for 35 years is pushing the government to take more aggressive actions vs China Video courtesy of Jessica Gross chat with Victoria Demmer
"It's about time that the Philippine government should make aggressive action to this military action and get the support not only moral support but active support not only of USA, but also other strong allies who also have problems with China like Japan or Canada, Australia."
On Tuesday, February 21, some 26 Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) vessels were spotted in Ayungin and Sabina Shoals by the Philippines Coast Guard while they were conducting Maritime Domain Awareness flight aboard Cessna Caravan 2081.
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