(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — The Philippine Congress is reported to have allocated funds for the construction of permanent structures on a shoal that has been a source of escalating tensions between the Southeast Asian nation and China.
The Philippines intends to build permanent structures on Second Thomas Shoal (Ayungin Shoal), located just 105 nautical miles from Palawan in the South China Sea.
Manila’s move to construct permanent structures at Second Thomas Shoal is certain to provoke China’s ire, as the latter claims the waters around the shoal as part of its territory, despite clear ownership by the Philippines.
Currently, the Philippine Navy occupies the shoal by stationing a rusting vessel, the BRP Sierra Madre, which is a Landing Ship Tank (LST).
“There are provisions under the National Budget 2024 for the (Philippine) vessel to have a designated place to go,” stated Senator Sonny Anggara, Chairman of the Finance Committee, in an interview with CNN Philippines.
However, he did not disclose the financial allocation for the construction of permanent structures at Second Thomas Shoal.
Last August, Senator Chiz Escudero proposed a budget of US$1.8 million to kickstart the construction of permanent structures.
According to him, this allocation is sufficient to build a jetty and living quarters for Philippine military personnel assigned to the shoal, as well as providing shelter for the country’s fishermen during adverse weather conditions.
The Philippines’ intention to build permanent structures at Second Thomas Shoal has unsurprisingly raised China’s objections.
Mao Ning, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, warned that China would take firm action if the Philippines proceeded with the construction of permanent structures at Second Thomas Shoal, also known as “Renai Jiao” by Beijing.
Analysts suggest that Beijing has various means to respond to the Philippines.
Zhu Feng, a South China Sea expert at Nanjing University, noted that Manila’s recent actions seem to “add more fuel to the fire” in the already strained relations between the Philippines and China.
“It is challenging for China to make concessions on anything involving its territorial sovereignty,” he said, while at the same time emphasizing the difficulty for President Ferdinand Marcos to back down from the dispute with Beijing due to the pressure from the Southeast Asian nation’s citizens. — DSA