The Philippines Doesn't Want US Help Over China's Coast Guard 'Thijack' Incident In The South China Sea

UNSPLASH/NOAA ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - The Philippines is not considering implementing a joint defense agreement with the United States (US) after accusing China of disrupting a mission of supplying troops in the disputed South China Sea.

A Philippine sailors suffered serious injuries after what the Philippine military described as a deliberate high-speed collision by the Chinese Coast Guard, which aims to disrupt supply missions for troops stationed in Second Thomas Shoal.

The Philippines calls China's coast guard troops like pirates because they boarded the ship carrying sharp objects.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, who also chaired the national maritime council, said the confrontation between Philippine naval sailors and China's coast guard "may be a misunderstanding or an accident".

"We are not ready to classify this as an armed attack," Bersamin told the briefing. I think this is a problem we can solve easily and if China wants to work with us, we can work with China," he said.

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs denies the Philippines' statement, and its spokesman said the actions taken were legitimate, professional, and despicable actions.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Philippines has a joint defense agreement with the United States, and US officials including President Joe Biden have reaffirmed their "strong" defense commitment to any attack on Philippine aircraft and ships in the South China Sea.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in a phone call with the Philippine foreign minister, emphasized the United States' strong commitment to the Philippines based on the Joint Defense Treaty.

Andres Centino, assistant president on maritime issues, said the implementation of the agreement was not considered in the discussion.

But the council has recommended to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that supply missions to disputed shallow waters should be announced and continue to be "ordered".