Cracks start to emerge in Philippines’ South China Sea stance

The Philippines’ defence chief has rejected a plan to hold talks with Beijing after the two sides’ latest clash at Second Thomas Shoal

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Activists stage an anti-China protest near the Chinese consulate in Makati, Philippines, earlier this month over the South China Sea dispute. Photo: AP

Published: 11:19am, 27 Jun 2024Updated: 11:51am, 27 Jun 2024

The Philippines may be recalibrating its South China Sea response after its latest clash with China, as observers note Manila’s defence chief adopting a more aggressive stance than President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr’s administration.

Analysts warn that Manila must demonstrate unity between its defence and political leadership in order to effectively counter Beijing’s assertiveness in the South China Sea.

Their comments come after National Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jnr rejected a plan to hold talks with Beijing, stressing that the clash at the Second Thomas Shoal was a violent and illegal move by China.

Teodoro Jnr made his point during a Senate inquiry on Tuesday when Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo gave an update on a mechanism for both countries to work out their differences on the West Philippine Sea, Manila’s name for those parts of the South China Sea that lie within its exclusive economic zone.

A Philippine working group recently met, in preparation for discussions under the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism with their Chinese counterparts next month, to find out whether both countries can agree on confidence-building measures “for a peaceful resolution through international law and diplomacy”, Manalo said.