PCG: Vietnam not the real threat in West Philippine Sea

Vietnam's island-building work in the Spratlys could reportedly soon surpass that of China's. But a Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson says Beijing remains the real threat to Manila through its persistent, years-long “bullying” of its vessels — tactics Hanoi has never used against Filipino forces.

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PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Jay Tarriela made the distinction in a lengthy social media post on Thursday, August 28, where he was responding to a retired military officer who urged the government to act on Vietnam’s “presence in the West Philippine Sea.”

“While the Philippines rightfully raises concerns over Vietnam’s reclamation activities, it is critical to recognize that Vietnam has occupied its features for decades,” Tarriela wrote on X. “The status quo is that they occupy those features without any aggressive actions.”

COMPARING ACTIONS: VIETNAM AND CHINA

Tarriela laid down what he sees as key differences between Vietnam’s longstanding occupation in the South China Sea and China’s more recent moves in the disputed waters.

Since the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, Vietnam “has not occupied any new features and has never disturbed our presence on our occupied features,” Tarriela said.

Among others, this declaration by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) committed signatories to refrain from inhabiting previously uninhabited islands and reefs. It also committed them to resolving territorial and jurisdictional disputes by peaceful means.