Propitious that the Philippines is conducting, on a limited capacity, more maritime patrols and freedom of navigation missions in the West Philippine Sea after aggressive Chinese maneuvers against a resupply mission on Sunday.
Chinese ships blocked two Philippine resupply vessels on their way to Ayungin Shoal, leading to collisions that damaged BRP Cabra, a Coast Guard patrol, and civilian ship Unaizah May 2.
Jonathan Malaya, assistant director general of the National Security Council, said the country’s increased patrols came as it again monitored “a large number of Chinese maritime militia vessels” not only near Ayungin but also in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) and Sabina (Escoda) Shoal.
We add our voice to Malaya’s appeal to China to “act responsibly” and respect and adhere to international law, aware that Beijing is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS.
UNCLOS lays down a comprehensive regime of law and order in the world’s oceans and seas establishing rules governing all uses of the oceans and their resources
We are also heartened the embassies of the United States and Canada have condemned moves by the Chinese Coast Guard to block the resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre, a Philippine Navy ship grounded on Ayungin Shoal, that led to a collision in the disputed waters.
The Canadian Embassy has condemned what it called “unlawful and dangerous conduct” by the Chinese vessels, which it said was unjustified.
“China has no lawful claim to the West Philippine Sea (and) its actions are incompatible with the obligations of a signatory to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea,” it said.
The Canadian Embassy said it “affirms its support for a rules-based order in the South China Sea consistent with international law, including UNCLOS and the 2016 arbitral decision, which is final and binding on the parties.
China claims, following its mythical ten-dash line a vast part of the South China Sea, including that which is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
It was invalidated by an international court in The Hague in 2016 after the Philippines won its case against China, although the latter continues to ignore that ruling.
Malaya also accused China of conducting what he called a “malign information operation” where “false narratives” are shared with the public.
In an alert on its website, the Chinese Coast Guard said it had “blocked vessels from the Philippines delivering illegal construction materials to the illegally grounded warship on the Ren’ai Reef in accordance with the law.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has tasked the Philippine Coast Guard to begin an inquiry into the latest incident, caused by what officials called the dangerous, illegal, and reckless maneuvers by China’s vessels.
We are gladdened that the incident this week is being taken seriously at the highest level of government,
It is comforting to read the Philippines will continue to protect its national interests amid provocations.
The country’s national security adviser Secretary Eduardo Año said, “We will not be deterred and we will continue to resupply our troops in BRP Sierra Madre despite provocations.”