The Japanese government castigated the China Coast Guard (CCG) for its provocative actions against Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessels near Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal.
In a media briefing Monday evening, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya reaffirmed Tokyo’s stance against unilateral efforts to alter the status quo through force or coercion, emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the region.
“We oppose any unilateral change… as well as any actions that increase tensions in the South China Sea. We are concerned about the repeated harassment and actions involving the use of water cannons. We would like to stress the importance of respecting the UNCLOS [United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea] and the 2016 arbitral award,” he told reporters during a reception marking the 71st Anniversary of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) aboard the JS Ise in Manila.
The JS Ise, a 646-foot Hyūga-class helicopter destroyer, which carries 22 vertical takeoff aircraft, is currently docked at the Port of Manila to demonstrate deepening defense ties with the Philippines.
Likewise, the United States government also expressed concern over the CCG’s action against the civilian Philippine vessels.
“The United States stands with the Philippines in upholding freedom of navigation and condemning the China Coast Guard’s dangerous actions that disrupted a lawful Philippine mission to provide supplies to fisherfolk within the Philippine EEZ (exclusive economic zone),” the US Embassy in Manila said in a statement on Monday.
On June 20, two CCG vessels engaged in aggressive actions against Philippine vessels near Bajo de Masinloc , a traditional fishing ground 124 nautical miles west of Zambales and within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
The CCG vessel with bow number 4203 deployed water cannons on the BRP Datu Taradapit, while CCG vessel 3105 targeted the BRP Datu Tamblot.
In addition, the BRP Datu Daya and BRP Datu Bangkaya were tailed and narrowly avoided collisions with the Chinese ships.
The BFAR vessels were conducting a mission to deliver aid to local fishing communities in the area when they were waylaid.
Despite the aggressive maneuvers by the CCG, the Philippine vessels sustained no damage, and no injuries were reported.
