MANILA: Philippine President Benigno Aquino III said Friday that his country will not be bullied by China in a territorial spat over the Spratly Islands and that Beijing should stop intruding into waters claimed by Manila. He vowed to boost his country's military might and strengthen the country's posture in territorial disputes with some of its Asian neighbors even as China sent its biggest maritime patrol ship to the South China Sea in a show of force. In a speech, Aquino said the Philippines will beef up its military “so that we will not be bullied anymore by bigger nations in times of discord just like what is happening now in the West Philippine Sea,” using the Philippines' newly designated name for the South China Sea. Aquino vowed to improve revenue collections to fund the country's military modernization program. The Philippines has accused China of intruding into its territory, citing six instances, including one in March when two Chinese patrol boats tried to ram a ship carrying a Philippine survey team. In response, Beijing blasted Manila for making “irresponsible claims” over the Spratly Islands. Earlier this month, the Philippine Navy dismantled Chinese markers placed on a reef close to the Spratly Islands. With regards to China's deployment of the patrol ship in the South China Sea, the Aquino administration said this is no cause for alarm. Reports said the Chinese ship left south China on Wednesday and will head for Singapore, passing through the disputed Paracel and Spratly island groups. Chinese authorities said Haixun 31 will “monitor shipping lanes, carry out surveying, inspect oil wells exploring for undersea reserves and protect maritime security.” Chinese media reports also said that China will further boost the size of its offshore maritime patrol force to protect its interests amid simmering tensions with its neighbors. Despite the buildup of its maritime forces, Beijing has claimed that it will not resort to force to resolve territorial disputes with the Philippines, Vietnam and other Spratly Islands claimants. This developed as the Philippines secured a pledge of US military support for its stance while Vietnam staged live-fire military exercises. Meanwhile, the Philippine Navy said a joint naval exercise with the United States Navy will proceed to the Spratlys on June 28 to July 8. Two US Navy destroyers will take part in the exercises.
