(UPDATES) THE Philippines will "stand our ground" in a dispute with Beijing over the South China Sea, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said on Friday, eight years after an international ruling against China in the territorial contest.
Tensions over the strategic waterway, a key passage for seaborne trade, have soared in the past 18 months following a series of escalating confrontations between Philippine and Chinese ships.
The most serious happened on June 17, when China Coast Guard personnel wielding knives, sticks, and an axe surrounded and boarded three Philippine Navy boats during a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal in the Spratly Islands.
While the countries agreed last week to "de-escalate tensions" over the disputed reefs and waters, Año said during a conference marking the anniversary of the ruling by The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA).
"We will continue to stand our ground and push back against coercion, interference, malign influence, and other tactics that seek to jeopardize our security and stability," he said.
The Philippines filed a case against China in 2013. Three years later, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in Manila's favor, declaring China's expansive claims had no legal basis. China refused to take part in the proceedings and has ignored the judgment.
Former president Rodrigo Duterte, who took office in 2016, set aside the ruling in exchange for warmer ties with China.
That changed when President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was elected in 2022, insisting he would not let China trample on Manila's maritime rights.
Since then, diplomatic relations between Manila and Beijing have deteriorated as the Marcos administration pushes back against Chinese actions.
China deploys coast guard and other vessels to patrol waters around reefs claimed by the Philippines, including Ayungin Shoal, which is 200 kilometers from Palawan and more than 1,000 kilometers from China's nearest major landmass, Hainan Island.
The Philippines has deepened defense cooperation with the United States and other countries in the face of China's growing assertiveness.
On Monday, the Philippines signed a key defense pact with Japan that will allow the deployment of troops on each other's territory.
Año said the government would continue to "foster closer ties with like-minded countries" and remained open to discussing "difficult issues."
The Philippines was "always open to... frank discussion based on mutual respect and sincerity," Año told the gathering that included ambassadors from the United States, Australia, France and Japan.
"If you call, we will answer," he said.
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