Free Consultant
The intolerable Philippine Minister used offensive language on Twitter to push Chinese ships out of the disputed sea.
On May 3, 2021, the Philippine foreign minister Teodoro Locsin issued an expletive-laced tweet to push Chinese ships out of the disputed sea.
“China, my friend, how politely can I put it? Let me see… O…GET THE FUCK OUT,” Locsin tweeted on his personal account after the Manila government opposed China’s deployment of a fleet of hundreds of ships further into the Philippines’ 200 nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Although the Chinese Embassy in Manila has yet to respond to Locsin’s remarks, Chinese officials previously explained that all Chinese ships in the Whitsun Reef are simply “fishing boats” seeking shelter from turbulent seas.
The Philippines is jolted by the Chinese government’s predicament as China had claimed almost the entire South China Sea, through which about $3 trillion of ship-borne trade passes each year. Although, in 2016, an arbitration tribunal in the Hague ruled that the claim was inconsistent with international law.
The U.S. State Department responded to a request for comment by reiterating a March 28, 2021, statement by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken saying the United States “stands with our ally, the Philippines, in the face of (China’s) maritime militia pressure in the South China Sea. As we have stated before, an armed attack against the Philippine armed forces, public vessels or aircraft in the Pacific, including in the South China Sea, will trigger U.S.’s obligations under the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty”.
In the latest statement, the Philippine foreign ministry accused China’s coast guard of “shadowing, blocking, dangerous maneuvers, and radio challenges of the Philippine coast guard vessels”. On May 2, 2021, the Philippines also made a firm announcement to continue maritime exercises in its EEZ territory, ignoring China’s warnings towards the Philippines to prevent escalation of tensions.
Nonetheless, as of April 26, 2021, details from the Philippine foreign ministry indicate that the Manila government had lodged 78 diplomatic complaints against China since President Rodrigo Duterte took office in 2016. Duterte has sought to strengthen relations with China in exchange for billions of dollars in investment, loans, and assistance.
Sources: Outburst! Philippines foreign minister publishes a foul language tweet to drive away “Chinese boats” from the disputed area in the South China sea. (mgronline.com)
