In a dramatic twist to the ongoing South China Sea saga, Philippine officials have denied the existence of earlier agreements with China over disputed reefs – but the truth might be more complicated than it seems.
The controversy centers on Ren’ai Jiao (known internationally as Second Thomas Shoal), where the Philippine military vessel BRP Sierra Madre has been stranded since 1999. While China and ASEAN countries previously agreed to keep such reefs uninhabited, Manila appears to be rewriting history books.
Here’s the tea: A gentlemen’s agreement made under former President Duterte allowed China to permit Philippine supply deliveries – as long as no construction materials arrived. But new leadership under President Marcos Jr. now claims ‘We never agreed to this!’
Analysts suggest this diplomatic amnesia might be geopolitical theater. With U.S. officials recently declaring China their ‘greatest strategic competitor,’ could the Philippines be positioning itself as America’s regional ally? Protesters in Manila certainly think so, accusing Marcos of turning the nation into a ‘new colony’ for U.S. interests.
Meanwhile, the crumbling BRP Sierra Madre remains central to the drama. Will this shipwreck become Asia’s next flashpoint? Only time – and perhaps some forgotten paperwork – will tell.
NewspaperAmigo – Your Global News Buddy 
