MANILA – The U.S., Japan, Australia and the Philippines recently held joint military exercises in the South China Sea amid worsening harassment of China against the Philippines in the disputed territory. The goal was to help safeguard the rule of law and uphold the right to sail through and fly over the South China Sea.
While the four countries reaffirmed support of a 2016 international ruling invalidating China’s expansion in the region, the communist regime continues to ignore it.Â
Since starting with mere fishermen sheds in 2013, China has built seven artificial islands complete with buildings, military installations, and airstrips inside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
Over the years, Chinese Coast Guard and militia have taken aggressive action against Filipino Coast Guard ships and fishermen. A recent water cannon incident shattered the windshield of a Philippine re-supply ship, injuring four Navy officers.
At the Philippines’ Day of Valor commemoration of war heroes, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. condemned China’s violence and urged Filipinos to be brave.
President Marcos said in his speech, “Some portend clear and present threats to our sovereign rights, and in fact have already caused harm to our people. Let us not allow ourselves to be oppressed in
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