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Friday, January 17, 2025
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Friday, January 17, 2025

Contingency plans in place vs. Scarborough reclamation

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The Armed Forces of the Philippines said it has “concrete” contingency plans in case China attempts to undertake reclamation efforts inside established Philippine territory, including Scarborough Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal.

Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said the contingency plans will be set in motion in the event certain “red lines” are breached.

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“There are four red lines given by the government. One of these is [there can be] no reclamation on Bajo de Masinloc. [It is] Non-negotiable [that they should not undertake] any structural reclamation on Bajo de Masinloc,” he said.

The naval officer assured the military will not be deterred in performing its mandate of conducting maritime patrols and air surveillance flights in Bajo de Masinloc and the broader WPS.

The Philippines said it was alarmed by Chinese coast guard patrols which are growing closer to the country’s shore.

Beijing claims most of the South China Sea despite an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.

The Philippines said China’s deployment this month of its “monster” coast guard vessel demonstrated Beijing’s “increasing aggression” in the disputed waterway.

“It’s getting closer to the Philippine coastline… and that is alarming,” National Security Council spokesman Jonathan Malaya said.

Chinese ships have been deployed closer to the Philippine coast this year, Malaya told AFP, with the latest movements an “intimidation tactic” intended to discourage Filipino fishing.

“We do not and will not dignify these scare tactics by backing down. We do not waver, or cower in the face of intimidation,” Malaya said.

The 165-meter (540-foot) “monster ship” was last located 143 kilometers (89 miles) west of Capones Island in Zambales province.

Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tarriela said the vessel “doesn’t really carry out very aggressive action, but its mere presence is already concerning.”

The PCG has deployed 84-meter and 97-meter vessels to pressure the Chinese ship “to move further away from the coast of Zambales,” Tarriela said.

Chinese patrol ships had come as close as 111 kilometers (69 miles) west of the main Philippine island of Luzon this year, Tarriela said on Sunday.

Meanwhile, China’s foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said its coast guard patrols are “in accordance with the law” and “beyond reproach.”

“We once again warn the Philippine side to immediately stop all infringement, provocation, and hyping, and stop all actions that undermine peace and tranquility in the South China Sea and complicate the situation,” Guo told a news conference. With AFP

Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Philippines ready for ‘contingency’ vs China reclamation.”

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