MANILA (Reuters) – The Philippines has positioned navigational buoys inside its unique financial zone (EEZ) to say sovereignty over the disputed Spratly islands within the South China Sea, a coast guard spokesperson mentioned on Sunday.
The step comes amid China’s more and more aggressive actions within the South China Sea as Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr pursues hotter ties with treaty ally the USA.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) mentioned it arrange 5 buoys carrying the nationwide flag from Might 10 to 12 in 5 areas throughout the 200-mile (322-km) zone, together with the Whitsun Reef, the place tons of of Chinese language maritime vessels moored in 2021.
“This transfer highlights the Philippines’ unwavering resolve to guard its maritime borders and assets and contribute to the security of maritime commerce,” Commodore Jay Tarriela, the coast guard spokesperson on South China Sea points, mentioned on Twitter.
China’s embassy in Manila didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
In Might 2022, the coast guard put in 5 navigational buoys on 4 islands within the Spratlys.
China’s declare of sovereignty over virtually your complete South China Sea was invalidated by a world arbitration ruling in 2016.
Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam even have claims within the Spratlys, the place China has dredged sand to construct islands on reefs, and outfitted them with missiles and runways.
Beijing has for years deployed tons of of coast guard and fishing vessels in disputed areas.
(Reporting by Neil Jerome Morales; Enhancing by Clarence Fernandez)