Philippines Warns China Not to Remove Buoys or Face ‘Serious Repercussions’

Personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard ship BRP Malabrigo aboard their rigid hull inflatable boat preparing to conduct a survey in the waters of Second Thomas shoal in the Spratly Islands in the disputed South China Sea, on April 23, 2023. Red Ajibe/AFP via Getty Images

The Philippines on Monday warned of “serious repercussions” if China removes navigational buoys installed within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the disputed South China Sea.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) installed five navigational buoys last week to mark its sovereignty over the country’s EEZ in the South China Sea—which Manila refers to as the West Philippine Sea—amid Beijing’s increased presence in the region.

The PCG has not reported any reaction from Beijing after installing the buoys. Vice Adm. Joseph Coyme, chief of the PCG’s Maritime Safety Services Command, said the buoys remained in position based on aerial surveillance conducted on May 13.

“If we have evidence that they deliberately take out our installed buoys, which we believe are legitimate, there will be serious repercussions,” Coyme said, according to local media Benar News.

Coyme did not specify the nature of the repercussions, only stating that they will need to discuss thoroughly in consultation with the National Task Force for the South China Sea if such issues arise.

“What we need to do is to produce necessary evidence and forward them to the [task force] … It’s up to them to take action as far as diplomatic concerns,” he added.

Beijing’s claim of sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea was invalidated by an international arbitration ruling in 2016, but the ruling did not see the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) change its behavior.

The CCP has been behaving more aggressively in the South China Sea in recent months, as evidenced by the presence of over 100 Chinese militia maritime vessels within the Philippines’ EEZ from April 14 to April 24.

The PCG said that one of the Chinese ships “carried out dangerous maneuvers” at a distance of 50 yards from its patrol ship, posing “a significant threat” to the safety of its crew.

A Chinese Coast Guard ship with bow number 5201 blocks Philippine Coast Guard ship BRP Malapascua as it maneuvers to enter the mouth of the Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin Shoal, in the South China Sea on April 23, 2023. Aaron Favila/AP Photo

The United States has urged China to stop harassing Philippine vessels in the South China Sea and warned that any armed attack on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft would invoke its mutual defense treaty.

Philippines’ Maritime Domain Awareness

National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano, chairman of the National Task Force for the South China Sea, said Monday that the Philippines plans to install six more buoys this year but did not specify the locations.

“These cardinal buoys will indicate the direction of safe waters to prevent passing ships from running aground in these shallow areas,” Ano said.

The five recently-installed navigational buoys were placed near Patag Island, Balagtas Reef, Kota Island, Panata Island, and Juan Felipe Reef.

The PCG also installed five buoys near Lawak Island, Likas Island, Parola Island, and Pag-asa Island last year to expand the Philippines’ maritime domain awareness in the South China Sea.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has previously urged Beijing to establish a “direct communication line” between their officials to prevent dangerous collisions between vessels in the disputed waters.

“The Philippines’ goal is simple: We work for peace. We will not encourage any provocative action … We will not allow that to happen,” Marcos told reporters on April 30.

Marcos has sought to strengthen his nation’s security alliance with the United States. Most recently, on May 1, the two countries reaffirmed the need for peace across the Taiwan Strait amid the CCP’s intimidating actions against the self-ruled island.

The United States also secured four new military bases in the Philippines under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), all of which are located near Taiwan.

Mimi Nguyen Ly contributed to this report.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this article stated the wrong dates for the presence of over 100 Chinese militia vessels within the Philippines’ EEZ. The Epoch Times regrets the error.