"Philippine Foreign Secretary Urges China to Ease South China Sea Tensions"

Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo has called on China to reduce tensions in the South China Sea, particularly over the Philippine-held Second Thomas Shoal. Manalo emphasized the importance of peace and dialogue among the claimant states in the region, including China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Brunei, and Malaysia. The recent incident involving China's coast guard blocking and shooting a water cannon at a Philippine navy-chartered supply boat near Second Thomas Shoal has prompted protests from the Philippines and condemnation from its allies. The Philippines is considering deploying its own maritime militia to defend its sovereignty, but any escalation risks militarizing the situation. The deteriorating condition of the Philippine ship stationed at the shoal further complicates the issue.