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| A Chinese Coast Guard fires water canon at a Filipino vessel at the West Philippine Sea. |
Marcos said the government will remain steadfast in defending the country’s sovereignty. “I have been in constant communication with our national security and defense leadership, and have directed our uniformed services to conduct their missions with the utmost regard for the safety of our personnel, yet proceed with a mission-oriented mindset. To our gallant service members, be assured of our utmost gratitude and fullest support. We remain undeterred,” he said.
The President
stressed the provocation of the CCG and its maritime militia in blocking the
Filipino resupply mission to the Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas
Shoal) would only spark the
country’s resolve and determination to defend its sovereignty.
“The aggression and
provocations perpetrated by the China Coast Guard and their Chinese Maritime
Militia against our vessels and personnel over the weekend have only further
steeled our determination to defend and protect our nation’s sovereignty,
sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea,” Marcos said.
“The illegal
presence in our waters and dangerous actions against our citizens is an
outright and blatant violation of international law and the rules-based
international order,” he added.
The Philippine
Coast Guard (PCG) said Chinese naval vessels water cannoned the Philippine
vessels on a resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre in the Ayungin Shoal. The
PCG One of the resupply vessels sustained engine damage. Initial reports added
that another Filipino supply boat was rammed during the water cannon attack by
the CCG.
“Let me reiterate
what is settled and widely recognized: Ayungin Shoal is within our Exclusive
Economic Zone, any foreign claim of sovereignty over it is baseless and
absolutely contrary to international law. Bajo de Masinloc is sovereign
Philippine territory and an integral part of our archipelago. No one but the
Philippines has a legitimate right or legal basis to operate anywhere in the
West Philippine Sea,” Marcos said.
The incident was
preceded by a water cannon attack by Chinese naval forces against the vessels
of the Bureau of Aquatic Resources headed to Scarborough Shoal. Just last
month, a Philippine vessel on a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal was also
attacked by water cannon by Chinese naval vessels, forcing it to detour. The
Philippines filed a diplomatic protest over the incident.
International support
The Department of
Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Philippines is getting international support from at
least 14 countries amid the Chinese aggression and harassment in the West
Philippine Sea. DFA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Maria Teresita Daza said
that there are 14 countries that have expressed their support for the
Philippines against China’s illegal activities in the Philippine waters.
Daza said that
these countries include France, United States of America, Japan, Ireland,
Australia, Canada, Denmark, European Union, Germany, the Netherlands, New
Zealand and the United Kingdom, among others.
She said that these
countries have already signified support for the position of the Philippines in
the West Philippine Sea and have also expressed concern about what is happening
in the country’s territory.
“We’re very
appreciative of the fact that many countries have actually expressed support
for the Philippines. And, as of our latest count, that there been 14, or so,”
Daza told reporters.
She emphasized that
the Philippines is getting international backing due to the serious actions
being undertaken by China in the West Philippine Sea over the last few days as
it “caused damaged not only to vessels, but it can also be harmful to the ones
manning the vessels.”
“But it does not
contribute to peace and security in the region,” she added.
Daza said that the
Philippines has filed a diplomatic protest with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign
Affairs.
Warning
The U.S. Department of State also issued a statement calling the Chinese aggression as “reckless disregard for the safety and livelihoods of Filipinos, but also for international law.”
“People’s Republic of China (PRC) ships employed water cannons and reckless maneuvers, including forcing a collision, causing damage to Philippine vessels undertaking official supply missions to those locations, and jeopardizing the safety of the Filipino crew. The PRC ships at Scarborough Reef also used acoustic devices, incapacitating the Filipino crew members, and drove away Philippine fishing vessels.”
“By impeding the safe operations of Philippine vessels carrying provisions to Filipino service members stationed at Second Thomas Shoal, the PRC interfered in lawful Philippine maritime operations and in Philippine vessels’ exercise of high seas freedom of navigation. Obstructing supply lines to this longstanding outpost and interfering with lawful Philippines maritime operations undermines regional stability,” said Matthew Miller, the Spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State.
Miller said these actions reflect not only reckless disregard for the safety and livelihoods of Filipinos, but also for international law. As reflected in an international tribunal’s legally binding decision issued in July 2016, the PRC has no lawful maritime claims to the waters around Second Thomas Shoal, and Filipinos are entitled to traditional fishing rights around Scarborough Reef.
“As provided under the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention, the 2016 arbitral decision is final and legally binding on the PRC and the Philippines, and the United States calls upon the PRC to abide by the ruling and desist from its dangerous and destabilizing conduct,” Miller said.
“The United States stands with
our Philippine allies in the face of these dangerous and unlawful actions. We
reaffirm that Article IV of the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty
extends to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or
aircraft – including those of its Coast Guard – anywhere in the South China Sea,”
he added. (Mindanao Examiner)
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