With our next-door neighbor China constantly reminding us that it does not recognize the 2016 Arbitral Award of the Permanent Arbitral Tribunal that gave us sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea and our 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), we obviously cannot just sit idly and ignore what they are doing in the disputed sealane.
Who needs enemies on the basis of a “ten-dash line” that it uses to attack?
We have seen numerous incidents in the past few years that tell us China, despite its claim to uphold international law, does exactly the opposite.
While it says it wants the territorial dispute in the South China Sea to be resolved by peaceful means, particularly through consultation and negotiation, it resorts instead to gunboat diplomacy to impose its will on other claimants to disputed territory in the vital global trade route.
For instance, video footage released by the Philippine Coast Guard in 2024 shows our ship, the BRP Bagacay, being hit by water cannon from Chinese coast guard vessels near the Chinese-controlled Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
Also hit on its way to the shoal was the BRP Bankaw of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
Fortunately, we have the international community to support us in our efforts to defend our national sovereignty and territorial integrity in the West Philippine Sea.
More and more foreign missions in the Philippines have raised concerns over the China Coast Guard’s recent use of water cannons on Filipino vessels off Zambales, just outside the territorial sea of Bajo de Masinloc.
Australian Ambassador HK Yu again recalled that the 2016 Arbitral Ruling is binding on all parties and that disputes in the South China Sea must be resolved peacefully.
“Australia shares the Philippines’ concerns at China Coast Guard’s use of water cannons against Philippine vessels near Scarborough Shoal,” she pointed out. “The Arbitral Award is binding on the parties, and disputes must be resolved peacefully consistent with international law, esp. UNCLOS,” she added.
The New Zealand Embassy in Manila echoed a similar call and urged parties to resolve disputes in accordance with UNCLOS.
“New Zealand is again concerned to see dangerous maneuvers and the use of water cannons against BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources) research vessels.”
“We do not want to see safety put at risk like this. Once again, we call for the peaceful resolution of maritime disputes in accordance with UNCLOS.”
The South Korean Embassy in Manila, meanwhile, reaffirmed its support for peace, stability and safety in the South China Sea and expressed concern the t use of water cannons and dangerous maneuvers against Philippine vessels around the Scarborough Shoal,” it said recently.
The United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, and Canada had earlier issued separate statements calling for respect for international law.
The BFAR deployed four ships to supply fuel and goods to Filipinos fishing near the Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal recently. Bottom of Form
Two of the vessels, BRP Datu Tamblot and BRP Datu Taradapit, were later water cannoned by CCG vessels 4203 and 3105, some 15.6 and 18.1 nautical miles, respectively, off the feature, areas well within the Philippine exclusive economic zone.
