“MANILA: President Marcos Rules Out Retaliatory Water Cannon Use Against China” – President Ferdinand Marcos stated on Monday (May 6) that the Philippines would refrain from responding to China’s water cannon deployments against its vessels by avoiding the use of “offensive” equipment, as Manila asserts its sovereignty in the disputed South China Sea.
“Beijing Dispatches Hundreds of Vessels to Assert Claims Despite Tribunal Ruling” – Despite an international tribunal ruling that its claims have no legal basis, Beijing has deployed hundreds of coast guard and other vessels to press its claims over most of the vital waterway.
“Manila: China Coast Guard Damages Philippine Vessels in Scarborough Shoal Clash” – In the latest confrontation on April 30, Manila reported that the China Coast Guard damaged a Philippine Coast Guard ship and another government vessel with a high-pressure water cannon while they were delivering fuel, food, and water to Filipino fishermen at Scarborough Shoal.
“President Marcos: Philippines Won’t Retaliate with Water Cannons Against Chinese Vessels” – President Marcos stated on Monday that Manila would refrain from retaliating with water cannons on its own coast guard vessels, asserting, “We will not follow the Chinese Coast Guard and the Chinese vessels down that road.”
“Philippine President: No Intention to Increase Tensions with Water Cannons” – President Marcos emphasizes that the mission of the Philippine navy and coast guard is not to initiate or escalate tensions, stating, “We have no intention of attacking anyone with water cannons or any other such offensive (equipment).”
“President Marcos: Philippines Aims to Avoid Escalating Tensions in Disputed Waters” – Marcos emphasized that the Philippines’ priority is to avoid raising tensions in the disputed waters, stating that “the last thing” the country wants is to escalate the situation.
“Philippine Coast Guard: Manila Seeks International Condemnation of Beijing’s South China Sea Behavior” – A Philippine Coast Guard spokesman stated on Wednesday that Manila’s strategy aims to expose and garner international condemnation of Beijing’s behavior in the South China Sea. This effort seeks to encourage united efforts to ensure freedom of navigation in the strategic waterway.
“President Marcos: Philippines to Pursue Diplomatic Solutions for South China Sea Incidents” – President Marcos reaffirmed that the Philippines will persist in addressing South China Sea incidents through diplomatic channels.”Manila Summons Chinese Envoy Over South China Sea Incidents” – Last week, Manila called upon a senior Chinese envoy to protest against a series of incidents involving “harassment, ramming, swarming, shadowing, blocking, dangerous maneuvers, and use of water cannons” by China Coast Guard vessels against Philippine boats near the disputed Scarborough Shoal.
“Speculation Rises on US Intervention Amid Philippine-China Vessel Confrontations” – Manila and Washington, bound by a mutual defense treaty, face escalating tensions due to recent confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels, sparking speculation on the circumstances that might prompt the United States to intervene.
