The Philippines on Friday asserted its sovereignty and jurisdiction over Pag-asa Island and its nearby cays, as it strongly denounced the latest “aggressive actions” by the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) targeting two Filipino research vessels in the area.
“The Philippines expresses grave concern over the recent aggressive actions and unlawful interference of the CCG against Philippine civilian public against Philippine civilian public vessels in the West Philippine Sea,” the National Maritime Council (NMC) said in a statement.
The council condemned these incidents as “deliberate acts of interference and intimidation” that gravely undermine Philippine sovereignty.
On May 21, two vessels from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) — the BRP Datu Sanday and BRP Datu Pagbuaya — were on a routine marine scientific research mission near Pag-asa Cay 2 (Sandy Cay) when they were shadowed, obstructed, blasted with water cannons, and sideswiped by CCG vessel 21559.
CCG ship 5103 and two Chinese maritime militia vessels reportedly provided support.
The NMC also emphasized that the Filipino vessels did not engage in any provocation and that their mission was consistent with legitimate civilian activities.
According to the council, the incident took place within the Philippines’ territorial waters, specifically in the vicinity of Pag-asa Island and Pag-asa Cay 2.
“The Philippines has longstanding sovereignty and jurisdiction over Pag-asa Island and all of its cays, which form part of the Philippines’ Kalayaan Island Group in the West Philippine Sea,” the NMC said.
“The NMC assures the nation that the Philippines remains committed to the peaceful settlement of disputes, but at the same time will continue to exercise its rights, protect its maritime interests, and uphold the mandates of our civilian agencies, like the DA-BFAR, in carrying out their responsibilities in our waters,” it added.
The council stated that appropriate diplomatic measures, multilateral cooperation, and efforts to strengthen maritime capabilities will be pursued to safeguard the safety and effectiveness of the Philippines’ maritime operations.