Philippines Condemns 'Patently Illegal' Actions by China in South China Sea Clash

The Philippines' defense secretary labeled China's recent actions in the South China Sea as 'patently illegal' after a clash over a resupply mission for Filipino fishermen. The incident has heightened tensions, with both countries accusing each other of aggression in disputed waters.

The Philippines' defense secretary has condemned China's recent actions in the South China Sea as 'patently illegal,' following a clash over what Manila described as a resupply mission for its fishermen.

'We have to expect these kinds of behavior from China because this is a struggle,' Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro told reporters. 'We have to be ready to anticipate and get used to these kinds of acts of China which are patently illegal, as we have repeatedly said.'

Manila's South China Sea task force accused Chinese vessels of ramming and using water cannons near Sabina shoal against a Philippine fisheries vessel transporting supplies for Filipino fishermen. Conversely, the Chinese coast guard claimed that the Philippine vessel 'ignored repeated serious warnings and deliberately approached and rammed' China's law enforcement boat, resulting in a collision.

U.S. officials, including President Joe Biden, have reaffirmed Washington's 'ironclad commitment' to aid the Philippines against armed attacks on its vessels and soldiers in the South China Sea. 'Everybody is too focused on armed attack; let's make ourselves strong enough so that does not happen,' Teodoro stressed.

The Chinese embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, has overshadowed efforts to rebuild trust and better manage disputes in the South China Sea after months of confrontations.

China claims sovereignty over nearly all of the South China Sea, including areas claimed by the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Brunei. In 2016, an international arbitral tribunal ruled that China's claim had no basis under international law, a decision Beijing has rejected.

(With inputs from agencies.)