Philippines coastgurd drills in disputed sea

The latest diplomatic wrangle was triggered by the detection last month of hundreds of Chinese vessels in the Spratly Islands.

Philippine coast guard personnel aboard rubber boats patrol past Chinese vessels at Whitsun Reef, in the Spratly Islands, two weeks ago. Picture: AFP

The Philippines coastguard is conducting drills in the South China Sea which an official said on Sunday were part of efforts to secure “our maritime jurisdiction” over the disputed waters.

The exercises near the Philippines-occupied Thitu Island and China-controlled Scarborough Shoal come amid heightened tensions over the resource-rich sea.

The latest diplomatic wrangle between the two countries was triggered by the detection last month of hundreds of Chinese vessels in the Spratly Islands.

Most of the boats have since dispersed around the contested archipelago. China — which claims almost the entirety of the sea — has refused repeated demands by the Philippines to call back the ships, which Manila says are maritime militia vessels and Beijing says are fishing boats.

In response, the Philippines has deployed more patrol vessels, including coastguard and navy ships, to intensify surveillance and prevent illegal fishing. The coast guard drills began last week.

“We are supporting the whole-of-nation approach in securing our maritime jurisdiction,” coastguard spokesman Armando Balilo said.

The exercises involve training in navigation, small boat operations, maintenance and logistical operations.

Scarborough — one of the region’s richest fishing grounds — has long been a flashpoint between Manila and Beijing.

China seized it from The Philippines in 2012 following a tense standoff. The drills began as Philippine armed forces held joint exercises with US soldiers that ended on Friday.

Beijing has ignored a 2016 international tribunal decision that declared its historical claim over most of the South China Sea to be without basis and illegal.

AFP