The Philippines has firmly labeled China as an "aggressor," placing blame on China for escalating tensions in the South China Sea and for a collision that occurred, resulting in damage to one of Manila's resupply boats during a resupply mission.

During the recent incident in which a Chinese coast guard ship made contact with one of Manila's smaller wooden resupply boats, no injuries were reported, but it drew international condemnation and expressions of concern from the United States. The Philippine foreign ministry spokesperson, Teresita Daza, asserted that such incidents contribute to the argument that the Philippines is not the aggressor, but rather China.

The United States has reiterated its commitment to defending the Philippines in the event of an armed attack, as outlined in a 1951 treaty. This statement followed a series of incidents where Chinese ships obstructed and collided with two Filipino vessels near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea.

Philippine diplomats registered a formal protest by summoning a Chinese Embassy official in Manila, expressing their strong disapproval of the collisions near the Second Thomas Shoal. Although no injuries were reported, the encounters resulted in damage to a Philippine coast guard ship and a wooden-hulled supply boat operated by navy personnel.

In response to the heightened tensions, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. convened an emergency meeting with the defense secretary and other high-ranking military and security officials to address the latest developments in the contested waters. As part of a broader regional resistance to China's expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea, the Philippines, along with neighboring countries, has sought U.S. military support as incidents in the area continue to escalate.

Following the meeting, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro held a news conference where he strongly criticized China for employing "brute force," which he asserted put Filipino crew members in harm's way, and for distorting facts to mask its aggressive actions.

“The Philippine government views the latest aggression by China as a blatant violation of international law,” Teodoro said. “China has no legal right or authority to conduct law enforcement operations in our territorial waters and in our exclusive economic zone.”

Marcos initiated an investigation into the high-sea collisions, as confirmed by Teodoro. However, he declined to disclose the specific measures the Philippine government would undertake in response.

"We are taking these incidents seriously at the highest levels of government," he said, adding that the government called for a news conference to provide accurate facts. "The Chinese government is deliberately obfuscating the truth," the defense chief said.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. held a security meeting to address a recent violation by China, ordering an official investigation. Tensions between the two nations have surged under Marcos, who has sought stronger ties with the United States.

In the South China Sea, frequent maritime confrontations persist as both countries assert territorial claims. The Philippines has called on China to cease "illegal" and "provocative" actions, citing a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration that invalidated China's expansive claims. Images from the Philippine Coast Guard show seven larger Chinese coast guard vessels surrounding three of the four boats during a resupply operation.

Jonathan Malaya, spokesperson at the Philippines’ National Security Council, said, “We are relieved and thankful that no Filipino personnel were harmed. But we are concerned by the escalation and provocations by Chinese vessels, who have no business being in the West Philippine Sea.”

Image source: Japan Times