South China Sea: Philippines ‘expects more coercive actions’ from China and is ‘brainstorming’ as stand-offs intensify
“Next after the water cannon is probably ramming and also they will attempt to board our vessel, which is something that we will not allow them to do.”
That scenario, Carlos said, was part of Philippines war games exercises and academic discussions on what other actions China might take. The Philippines on Tuesday summoned China’s ambassador to protest “back-to-back harassments” at the weekend in different locations, including collisions and use of water cannon.
Beijing has repeatedly accused Philippine vessels operating in Manila’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of trespassing in Chinese waters.
04:30
Philippines sets up ‘game changer’ monitoring station on island in disputed South China Sea
The Philippines has grown increasingly wary of China’s coastguard and the presence of hundreds of Chinese fishing boats that it considers to be militia forces.
“We’re brainstorming this, we are war gaming this and we are prepared for any contingency that will happen,” said Carlos, whose remit includes defence of the Philippines’ EEZ.
China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for more than US$3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce. Those claims, which an arbitral tribunal has declared baseless, extend to the exclusive economic zones of the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei.