An aerial view shows the BRP Sierra Madre on the contested Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin, in the South China Sea, March 9, 2023/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
CNN NEWS | Published November 21, 2024
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RELATED: U.S. backs Philippine forces in South China Sea with task force
Manila says initiative involves supporting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Milius conducts underway operations at an undisclosed location in the South China Sea, in this handout picture released on April 10, 2023. (U.S. Navy/Handout via Reuters) © Reuters
NIKKEI ASIA | Published November 21, 2024
China Sees Red
Defence ties between the Philippines and the United States have strengthened rapidly in the past few years, frustrating Beijing, which has a huge presence and vast claims in the South China Sea and sees Washington as an interfering power.
The United States says it has legitimate interests in ensuring peace and freedom of navigation in Asia’s most contested waters, through which more than $3 trillion of trade passes each year.
Surveillance and More
National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano said Philippine activities in South China Sea, including its missions to resupply troops at the Second Thomas Shoal, remain a “purely Philippine operation”.
“They are providing support to us, for example, ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance), maritime domain awareness, but on actual direct participation, it’s purely a Philippine operation,” Ano told reporters.
The Philippine ambassador to the United States has previously said the Philippines has not asked Washington for support in resupplying its troops, and the U.S. was providing only “visuals” to help.
Confrontations between Beijing and Manila have been frequent of late, with China irked by Philippine resupply missions to soldiers on the Sierra Madre, a rusty warship that was intentionally grounded on the shoal 25 years ago to reinforce a territorial claim.
Tensions there have boiled over several times, with China’s coast guard accused of ramming vessels and using water cannon, injuring Filipino personnel.
China says the Philippines is intruding on its territory and claims indisputable sovereignty over the reef, located 1,300 km (808 miles) off its mainland and about 200 km from the Philippine coast.
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