Philippines Warns China Not to Remove Buoys or Face ‘Serious Repercussions’

Personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard ship BRP Malabrigo aboard their rigid hull inflatable boat preparing to conduct a survey in the waters of Second Thomas shoal in the Spratly Islands in the disputed South China Sea, on April 23, 2023. Red Ajibe/AFP via Getty Images

The Philippines on Monday warned of “serious repercussions” if China removes navigational buoys installed within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the disputed South China Sea.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) installed five navigational buoys last week to mark its sovereignty over the country’s EEZ in the South China Sea—which Manila refers to as the West Philippine Sea—amid Beijing’s increased presence in the region.