A PHILIPPINE senator on Monday called on the Marcos administration to file new cases before an international court and to build on its alliances to deter Beijing’s aggression after the largest Chinese Coast Guard ship was seen patrolling the disputed areas in the South China Sea last week.
“Instead of keeping peace in the region, China has chosen to create more disturbance,” Senator Ana Theresia “Risa” N. Hontiveros said in a statement.
“Malacañang should start filing new cases before an international court. Beijing’s ships will only keep coming back if we do not take appropriate measures.”
The 165-meter (541 feet) long vessel 5901, referred to by the Philippines as “the monster,” was 65 to 70 nautical miles off the coast of the province of Zambales on Jan. 5, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately reply to a Viber message seeking comment.
A five-member United Nations-backed arbitral court in 2016 ruled China had violated Philippine sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone by building artificial islands and failing to prevent its citizens from fishing in the zone.
Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, The Philippines, and Vietnam all claim parts of the sea. Tensions have risen amid concerns China’s expansive claims encroach on their exclusive economic zones.
National Security Council spokesperson Jonathan E. Malaya said last week that the so-called monster ship would be “met with appropriate response” if it does something provocative.
Ms. Hontiveros said the Philippines must build on its relationships with its international allies and hold joint patrols to deter China’s growing assertiveness.
“In the meantime, we must work on strengthening alliances with like-minded nations whose Coast Guards can patrol with ours. Together, let us show China that no ‘monster’ ship can scare us,” she said. — John Victor D. Ordoñez
