Philippines Calls Out China For 'Swarming' Disputed Reef

In the latest sign of brewing trouble in the South China Sea, the Philippines has accused China of "Swarming" a disputed reef off the coast of Palawan island. Neither China nor the Philippines currently occupies the reef, but it is claimed by both countries, as well as by Vietnam. In its statement, the PCG added that it "Maintains its unwavering commitment to safeguarding maritime security, safety and the marine environment in the course of protecting the territorial integrity, sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction of the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea.". Whitsun Reef is just the latest flashpoint for the growing tensions between the Philippines and China, which claims large parts of the Philippines' SEZ under its maximalist "Nine-dash line" claim. The primary partner, of course, is the United States, its long-time security ally, which has on several occasions recently stated that it is treaty-bound to come to the Philippines' aid in the event of any attack on its forces in the South China Sea. The Philippines has expanded U.S. access to Philippine military facilities under the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, and last month held joint patrols in its waters with the U.S., followed shortly after by a similar joint patrol with Australia. Under Marcos, the Philippines has also pledged to deepen its defense relationship with Japan, which has its own suite of maritime and territorial disputes with China.