The protest followed sightings of two Chinese coast guard vessels in the area on January 5 and January 10, including a 165-meter-long ship referred to by Philippine authorities as "the monster." Additionally, a Chinese navy helicopter was reportedly deployed in the vicinity.

"The escalatory actions of these Chinese vessels and aircraft disregard Philippine and international laws," the Philippines' National Maritime Council, a multi-agency group responsible for safeguarding the country’s maritime interests, stated. The council further urged Beijing to "desist from conducting illegal actions that violate the Philippines' sovereign rights in its EEZ."

Tensions between the two nations have escalated over the past two years, marked by regular confrontations between their coast guards in the South China Sea. China claims nearly the entire waterway, a position that overlaps with the EEZs of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

The Philippines’ statement coincided with a virtual discussion involving Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., U.S. President Joe Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. The leaders addressed China’s actions in the South China Sea, underscoring the region’s strategic importance as a major shipping route through which an estimated $3 trillion in annual trade passes.

The Scarborough Shoal remains a flashpoint in the disputed waterway, despite a 2016 ruling by an international arbitral tribunal that invalidated Beijing’s sweeping claims based on historic maps. China has refused to recognize the decision, intensifying regional tensions.

The Philippines has reiterated its commitment to upholding international law and protecting its maritime rights, emphasizing the need for China to respect the sovereignty of other nations in accordance with established legal frameworks.

As diplomatic efforts continue, the situation highlights the ongoing struggle for control over the South China Sea, a critical region for economic and geopolitical stability. (ILKHA)