The Liberal Party (LP) expressed strong dismay following Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin’s recent comments suggesting that the latest Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) could be a “misunderstanding or accident.”
The organization pointed out the undeniable evidence of the Chinese Coast Guard’s (CCG) destructive behavior, as shown in videos and photos released by the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Public Affairs Office.
“It is clear that the lives of our troops were endangered, and they suffered humiliation,” the LP stated, citing the AFP footage that starkly demonstrated the perilous situation faced by Filipino soldiers on June 17, which challenged any notion of a mere accident or misunderstanding.
The political party emphasized the need for a balanced approach in defending Philippine sovereignty without escalating tensions. However, they stressed that this balance should not lead to downplaying illegal and barbaric actions by the CCG.
“We must vigorously assert our sovereign rights and demand justice for the harassment and injuries inflicted upon our troops,” the LP statement read.
The party underscored the availability of legal avenues for the Philippine government to assert its rights amidst China’s continued provocations.
They firmly rejected any form of surrender or compromise on the nation’s territorial claims. “This does not include surrendering our rights despite the humiliation,” the LP declared.
The party’s condemnation comes in response to a recent incident at Ayungin Shoal, where Philippine Navy servicemen were harassed by the CCG. The altercation led to injuries among the troops, including a soldier who lost his thumb.
“We strongly condemn the recent harassment of Filipino soldiers by the Chinese Coast Guard at Ayungin Shoal,” the party stated. “We stand in solidarity with our Armed Forces and its brave soldiers during this challenging time.”
The June 17 incident at Ayungin Shoal is the latest in a series of confrontations in the disputed waters of the WPS, known to Beijing as South China Sea, where China’s expansive claims continue to clash with the territorial rights of neighboring countries, including the Philippines.
Ayungin Shoal, also known as Second Thomas Shoal, is about 200 kilometers (120 miles) from the western Philippine island of Palawan, and more than 1,000 kilometers from China’s nearest major landmass, Hainan island.
China calls it Ren’ai Jiao but it falls within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea a nation’s EEZ extends 200 nautical miles past its coast. Ren’ai Jiao sits 105 miles off of the Philippines. No other land mass is closer.