Philippines President Orders Armed Forces to De-Escalate Tensions in South China Sea

In a significant move aimed at reducing conflict in the South China Sea, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has directed the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to de-escalate tensions with China in the West Philippine Sea. 

This directive comes in response to a series of confrontations and increasing hostilities in the contested waters, which have long been a flashpoint in Philippines-China relations.

General Romeo Brawner Jr., AFP chief of staff, conveyed the president’s orders during a recent news briefing following a high-level conference with Marcos. 

Brawner emphasized that the rules of engagement were clearly laid out, underscoring the president's guidance for troops to avoid escalating the situation on the ground or at sea.

“The guidance also of our President to our troops is not to escalate the situation on the ground or on the seas so to speak,” Brawner stated. 

Marcos expressed his appreciation for the Filipino soldiers, acknowledging the difficulty of defending the country's sovereignty while simultaneously exercising restraint.

The backdrop to this directive includes a recent incident on June 17, where a Philippine Navy sailor lost his thumb and several others were injured after Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) personnel repeatedly rammed Philippine rubber boats. 

The boats were attempting to deliver supplies to the BRP Sierra Madre, a World War II-era ship grounded on Ayungin Shoal to assert the Philippines' claim over the area.

CCG personnel were seen wielding knives, an axe, and pointed sticks, with the Navy boats being slashed and a navigational screen smashed. 

This aggressive encounter highlighted the ongoing risks and hostilities in the region.

In response to the incident, the AFP is demanding P60 million in damages from China for the destruction of Philippine equipment and vessels. 

Additionally, they are seeking compensation for the medical expenses of Seaman First Class Jeffrey Facundo, who lost his thumb during the confrontation. 

The AFP has written to Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. to forward these demands to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), which will then reach out to its counterparts in China.

During the command conference, Brawner mentioned that the AFP presented several options to Marcos for the Philippines’ next actions following the June 17 incident. 

The AFP chief stressed that future resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre would not tolerate bullying by Chinese personnel.

“When I said we will fight, I meant that we will not let them just bully us like they did in the past,” Brawner explained. 

The AFP aims to ensure that Filipino personnel can defend themselves during subsequent missions.

In the wake of the June 17 incident, Philippine and Chinese officials held bilateral talks in Manila to de-escalate and manage disputes in the West Philippine Sea. 

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong met with Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Maria Theresa Lazaro, discussing the situation and reiterating their respective positions on Ayungin Shoal.

China urged the Philippines to stop "maritime infringement" and work towards stabilizing relations to prevent further deterioration. 

The DFA acknowledged the need to restore trust and rebuild confidence, while noting that significant differences remain despite substantial progress in developing measures to manage the situation at sea.

President Marcos’ directive to de-escalate tensions with China in the West Philippine Sea marks a strategic move to prevent further conflict in the region. 

By focusing on restraint and clear rules of engagement, the Philippines aims to navigate the complex dynamics of the South China Sea while asserting its sovereignty and protecting its interests. 

The ongoing diplomatic efforts and preparations for future encounters underscore the delicate balance the Philippines seeks to maintain in its relationship with China.