Philippines deploys 'Floating Markers' in Spratly Islands to respond to China's operations

Manila/Beijing: The Philippines has deployed ‘floating markers’ (BIOS) near the Spratly Islands in response to China’s aggressive activities in the South China Sea. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said that the deployment of the BIOS is intended to maintain the security and sovereignty of the Philippines’ maritime borders. Chinese ships have been continuously intruding on Philippine territory in the last few months and threatening Philippine ships that oppose. In this background, the Philippine government’s deployment becomes significant.

Over the past several years, tensions have arisen between China and the Philippines over the South China Sea conflict. China also claims ownership of that part of the West Philippine Sea, which is the maritime domain of the Philippines. The Philippines has administrative jurisdiction over the Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoals in this maritime zone. But in 2012, China, claiming their right over some of the islands, began militarizing them and constructing some artificial islands.

The verdict had gone against China after the Philippines took the matter to the International Court of Justice. China was instructed to withdraw from the territories of these islands. However, in defiance of the International Court of Justice, China continues to encroach on Philippine-claimed islands. The Chinese Navy constantly threatens the Philippine Navy and Coast Guard ships patrolling this maritime area.

In February, a Chinese ship intercepted a laser on a Philippine Coast Guard vessel. A Chinese Coast Guard ship attempted to hit a Philippine Coast Guard ship aggressively in April. The Philippine government has taken these activities of China seriously and has started taking steps to increase its defence preparedness. The deployment of BIOS near the Spratly Islands forms part of it.

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