The Philippines has accused China of harassment after a People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy helicopter allegedly buzzed Filipino fishermen at Iroquois Reef, escalating tensions in the contested South China Sea.
The reef, also known as Rozul Reef in the Philippines and Houteng Reef in China, lies 125 nautical miles from Palawan, within the Philippines’ internationally recognized exclusive economic zone (EEZ). International maritime law grants countries the sole right to resources within 200 nautical miles of their coastline.
Jay Tarriela, a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson, shared video footage of the incident on X on Monday, saying it was provided by fishermen returning to Quezon, Palawan. In response, coast guard chief Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan deployed the BRP Melchora Aquino, one of its largest patrol ships, and the BRP Cape Engano “to ensure the safety of Filipino fishermen exercising their right to fish freely, Tarriela said.
Philippine Coast Guard
He added that the move aims to assert the Philippine presence in the area, emboldened by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s firmer stance against Chinese incursions.
Newsweek reached out to the Philippine coast guard with a written request for comment.
Citing historical rights, China claims nearly all of the South China Sea under its unilaterally drawn “dashed line,” which overlaps with competing claims from the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.
The territorial dispute has intensified since Marcos took office in 2022, with Chinese maritime forces employing increasingly assertive measures against Philippine vessels operating in their EEZ.
Incidents have included Chinese coast guard ships deploying water cannons, engaging in risky maneuvers, and colliding with Philippine vessels during efforts to prevent them from accessing disputed atolls. Multiple clashes this year resulted in Philippine personnel being injured.
During his tenure, Marcos has pledged to protect Philippine sovereignty, vowing not to yield “even one square inch” of territory.
Responding to Manila’s latest complaint during Monday’s press briefing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said the accusations were “not factual.”
“China has indisputable sovereignty over Nansha Qundao and the adjacent waters,” Lin said, using Beijing’s name for the Spratly Islands, a contested archipelago to the southwest of Iroquois Reef. “It is legitimate and lawful for China to carry out law enforcement activities in relevant waters to uphold sovereignty.”
Tarriela fired back later that evening, writing on X: “If you interpret the PLA Navy Helicopter’s harassment of civilian Filipino fishermen as simply a lawful and legitimate operation, it underscores China’s blatant disregard for the rights of civilians and basic human rights.”
Collin Koh, a senior fellow at Singapore’s Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies, described the incident as an act of intimidation.
“Just another normal day for the neighborhood gangster. When the bullied local resident seeks help from a powerful friend the gangster cries foul,” Koh said, referring to the Philippines’ alliance with the United States under their Mutual Defense Treaty.
U.S. President Joe Biden has repeatedly emphasized that the pact is “ironclad.”
China has criticized the Philippines over its growing security ties with Washington, labeling the country a pawn in U.S. efforts to contain China. Beijing has urged the U.S. to refrain from interfering in regional matters.
