The Philippines will continue to maintain and supply its South China Sea outposts without seeking permission, reaffirming its sovereignty. China’s suggestion to notify Beijing is deemed absurd and unacceptable.
The Philippines is asserting its commitment to maintain and supply its outposts in the South China Sea without seeking approval from any other country, according to the national security adviser. The country’s national security council reaffirmed its dedication to upholding sovereign rights over the Second Thomas Shoal. National Security Adviser Secretary Eduardo Ano emphasized that operations are conducted within the Philippines’ territorial waters and exclusive economic zone, unaffected by foreign interference.
The Philippine agency responded to China’s suggestion that Manila should notify Beijing before accessing the disputed region. Ano criticized the idea as “absurd, nonsense and unacceptable,” stating that the Philippines does not require China’s approval for its activities in the South China Sea. Despite these disagreements, the Philippines remains open to peaceful negotiations to resolve disputes in the region.
In a recent incident, the Philippine coast guard accused China of obstructing efforts to evacuate a sick military member in the South China Sea, adding to the ongoing territorial tensions in the area. The dispute is rooted in China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea, despite a 2016 ruling from the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague declaring otherwise, a decision rejected by Beijing.
Source : Philippines asserts security independence in South China Sea
