Philippines locations buoys in elements of S.China Sea to claim sovereignty By Reuters

MANILA (Reuters) – The Philippines has positioned navigational buoys inside its unique financial zone (EEZ) to claim sovereignty over the disputed Spratly islands within the South China Sea, a coast guard spokesperson stated on Sunday.

The step comes amid China’s more and more aggressive actions within the South China Sea as Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr pursues hotter ties with treaty ally the US.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) stated it arrange 5 buoys carrying the nationwide flag from Could 10 to 12 in 5 areas throughout the 200-mile (322-km) zone, together with the Whitsun Reef, the place a whole lot of Chinese language maritime vessels moored in 2021.

“This transfer highlights the Philippines’ unwavering resolve to guard its maritime borders and sources and contribute to the protection of maritime commerce,” Commodore Jay Tarriela, the coast guard spokesperson on South China Sea points, stated on Twitter.

China’s embassy in Manila didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.

In Could 2022, the coast guard put in 5 navigational buoys on 4 islands within the Spratlys.

China’s declare of sovereignty over virtually all the South China Sea was invalidated by a global arbitration ruling in 2016.

Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam even have claims within the Spratlys, the place China has dredged sand to construct islands on reefs, and outfitted them with missiles and runways.

Beijing has for years deployed a whole lot of coast guard and fishing vessels in disputed areas.