Marcos rejects sending warships to West Philippine Sea: ‘We are not at war’

WPS composite image from Inquirer file, AFP and Reuters photo

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday dismissed the idea of deploying Philippine warships to the West Philippine Sea in response to Chinese aggression, calling it “provocative” and an “escalation.”

Marcos made the statement after the Philippine Coast Guard previously floated the idea of sending naval ships into the country’s territorial waters as a “policy option,” contingent on the President’s approval.

“We are not at war; we don’t need navy warships. All we are doing is resupplying our fishermen, protecting our territorial rights,” Marcos said in a chance interview.

READ: WPS tit for tat: Sending Navy floated as PH option

“Again, it will be provocative and will be seen as an escalation–we don’t do that. The Philippines does not escalate tensions. Quite the opposite, the Philippines always tried to bring down the level of tension,” he added.

When asked about the government’s response to China’s continued aggression in the disputed waters, Marcos said the Philippines will “continue to perform its mission.”

“We will never be part of an escalation in the situation in the West Philippine Sea. If we look at the evolution of the situation in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippines has never been an agent of escalation of tensions,” he said.

On Dec. 4, Chinese warships tailed the PCG’s BRP Teresa Magbanua at a dangerously close distance of only 300 yards.

READ: BRP Teresa Magbanua’s return from West PH Sea ‘not a withdrawal’ – NMC

On the same day, the Chinese Coast Guard also harassed BRP Melchora Aquino, BRP Cape Engaño, and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessels that were deployed at Escoda Shoal.

These incidents occurred against the backdrop of a long-standing territorial dispute. China, through its so-called 10-dash line, claims ownership of most of the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, which lies well within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

China’s 10-dash claims were effectively invalidated by a July 2016 international tribunal ruling that stemmed from a case filed by Manila in 2013. However, Beijing has persistently ignored the ruling, continuing to encroach on the Philippines’ EEZ.