Teodoro on China’s aggressive actions in WPS: ‘We have to expect more’

Gilberto Teodoro Jr. — Photo from the Facebook page of the Department of National Defense

MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Thursday said the Philippines has to expect more aggressive actions from China.

This was his reaction to China’s naval frigates and coast guard vessels’ “unsafe” maneuvers against a Philippine Navy corvette patrolling off Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) last May 5.

READ: Chinese frigates perform ‘aggressive’ maneuvers on PH warship

“We have to expect more of the same. I mean, alangan naman hindi natin gawin ang katungkulan natin sa ating jurisdiction sa ilalim ng batas? Hindi puwede ‘yun. Sila ba nagdidikta ng batas ng mundo? Hindi,” Teodoro said in an ambush interview.

(I mean, we must fulfill our duty within our jurisdiction under the law. We can’t just disregard that. Are they the ones dictating the laws of the world? No, they’re not.)

On Thursday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported that BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS35) encountered “aggressive and unsafe maneuvers” by People’s Liberation-Army Navy vessels Jiangkai II-class frigates (Type 054A) with bow numbers 554 and 573, and a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel with bow number 5403.

The maritime incident occurred on Monday, about 11.8 nautical miles southeast of Scarborough Shoal.

BRP Emilio Jacinto was conducting a patrol with vessels of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the Philippine Coast Guard.

“The Chinese frigate BN 554 was documented tailing PS35 at close range, while BN 573 dangerously crossed its bow in a high-risk maneuver that created the danger of collision,” said AFP public affairs chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad in a statement.

“China Coast Guard vessel 5403 also attempted to obstruct PS35’s navigational path,” he added.

Since January, Philippine authorities have been monitoring the movements of CCG vessels “unlawfully operating” within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

Beijing’s continued aggression was based on its assertion of sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, including most of the WPS. It continues to reject the 2016 arbitral ruling that effectively dismissed its claims and ruled in favor of Manila./mcm