U.S. allies have sent newly refurbished warships to the front lines of a territorial dispute in the South China Sea, which has seen dramatic clashes with Chinese forces over the past year.
Philippine Jacinto class patrol boat BRP Emilio Jacinto The ship arrived in the western island province of Palawan on Wednesday to reinforce the navy tasked with patrolling disputed areas in the area.
Manila, under the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has over the past year taken a more assertive stand against China, which claims much of the sea. This includes documenting China’s aggressive efforts to block supplies to Philippine-held areas. As a plan to increase patrols to strengthen military outposts.
Expansion “represents” [the Philippines’] “It is an unwavering commitment to protect our maritime domain and protect the interests of our people,” Philippine Navy Offshore Combat Force Commander Edward Ike de Sagon said at a farewell ceremony for the 700-ton corvette on Tuesday.
“Her presence serves as a reminder to all who dare to challenge our sovereignty that we are prepared and vigilant,” local media quoted him as saying. Dew,” he said.
Acquired from the Royal Navy in 1997. Emilio Jacinto It has just undergone extensive maintenance and upgrades.
“It strengthens the Western Command of the Philippine Armed Forces and joins the first class of patrol vessels in its class. Gregorio del Pilar and the Tarlac-class landing platform will dock there. Davao South” Colonel Xerxes Trinidad, Director of Public Affairs of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said: newsweek.
“The addition of the corvette will strengthen efforts to protect the maritime domain of the western Philippines and the country’s maritime interests,” Trinidad said.
The Western Command’s jurisdiction covers many features of the disputed Spratly Islands, including Second Thomas Shoal.
This submerged reef is where a warship staking claim to Manila ran aground in 1999. A contingent of Philippine Marines is stationed in the country, and their resupply and troop rotation missions often result in clashes with blockaded Chinese Coast Guard vessels.
Wikimedia Commons
The Chinese government claims this and other such outposts constitute a violation of its sovereign territory, citing unspecified historical rights. Manila claims that it has rights to these areas because they lie within its internationally recognized exclusive economic zone.
Many Western governments, including mutual defense treaty ally Washington, support the Philippines’ claims. President Joe Biden confirmed that U.S. security commitments under the treaty extend to the South China Sea.
A recent survey by local consulting firm OCTA Research found that Filipinos currently prioritize strengthening the military response to the South China Sea issue (72%) over other measures, which OCTA This is the first time since public opinion polling on this issue began.
Last Friday, the country took part in US naval exercises that the US 7th Fleet said strengthened “readiness and integrated capabilities in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
In addition to its geopolitical importance, the South China Sea is critical to international commerce.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration estimated that as of 2016, there were 11 billion barrels of oil and 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves in the ocean.
Furthermore, it is estimated that at least one-fifth of world trade passes through strategic waterways.
Updated February 17, 2024, 12:00 a.m. EDT: This article has been updated with comment from Colonel Xerxes Trinidad.
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