China Coast Guard (CCG) ships on Monday prevented two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels from delivering much-needed supplies to the BRP Teresa Magbanua in Escoda Shoal.
The PCG’s BRP Cabra and BRP Engaño set off from Buliluyan port in Palawan on its way to Escoda Shoal earlier that day on a rotation and reprovision mission but failed to drop off the supplies due to the Chinese blockade.
Meanwhile, the PCG maintained that it has the right to operate within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), calling Beijing’s claim over the shoal “imaginary.”
PCG spokesperson for WPS Commodore Jay Tariela described the Chinese Coast Guards’ (CCG) latest act as “unprofessional, aggressive, and illegal actions” as they attempted to block the Philippines’ humanitarian missions.
On Sunday, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources ship BRP Datu Sanday, which was on a humanitarian mission to provide Filipino fishermen with diesel, food, and medical supplies, was also prevented from completing its mission by multiple People’s Liberation Army Navy and CCG ships.
“It is the PRC that is trespassing in our Exclusive Economic Zone. Escoda Shoal is located within our EEZ, while your claim to Xianbin Jao exists only in the imagination of the Chinese Communist Party.” he asserted.
For his part, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Monday underscored the need to deter an armed attack following the recent ramming incident near Escoda Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
Teodoro said the Philippines should make itself strong to combat China’s hostile actions.
”Let us deter an armed attack. That is the more important thing, that is what I am focused on doing, everybody is too focused on armed attack. Let’s make ourselves strong enough so that that does not happen,” Teodoro said.
As this developed, the United States, Japan, and the European Union condemned the “dangerous maneuvers” carried out by Chinese naval assets. These actions, which have escalated over the past week, include ramming Philippine vessels and deploying water cannons, further heightening tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
On the other hand, Gan Yu, the spokesperson for the CCG, defended their recent actions by stating that they were merely “carrying out” their duties and “resolutely safeguarding” their interests under Chinese law.
“The Chinese Coast Guard will continue to carry out rights protection and law enforcement activities in the waters under China’s jurisdiction in accordance with the law, and resolutely safeguard the country’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests,” Gan stated.
As this developed, the United States, Japan and the European Union (EU) voiced their anxiety over China’s recent actions in the WPS, condemning what they describe as “aggressive and illegal” maneuvers by Chinese naval assets.
“Any harassment and actions which increase tensions or obstruct freedom of navigation are not tolerated. Upholding a rules-based international order and adhering to commitments must prevail,” Japan Embassy in the Philippines said in an X post.
U.S. Ambassador MaryKay Carlson also expressed strong disapproval, describing China’s conduct as “unsafe, unlawful, and aggressive.”
She emphasized that these actions disrupted a legal mission and endangered lives, highlighting the serious nature of the incident.
EU Ambassador Luc Veron echoed these sentiments, calling the “dangerous maneuvers” by Chinese naval assets “disturbing.”
He stressed that “respect for international law, including UNCLOS, is essential in the South China Sea as anywhere else.”
