The National Maritime Council (NMC) on Sunday strongly condemned what it described as “illegal and reckless” actions by the China Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese maritime militia vessels against Philippine government ships within the territorial sea of Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea.
“The proximity of CCG’s illegal and reckless actions to Pag-asa Island is of grave concern to the Philippines,” the NMC said, emphasizing that Pag-asa Island is part of the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG), over which the Philippines exercises “longstanding sovereignty and jurisdiction.”
The council asserted that Philippine operations in Pag-asa Island are “a valid exercise of sovereignty and jurisdiction” and consistent with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, and the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.
“China has no right to interfere with these lawful and routine activities,” It added.
“The Philippine Coast Guard and BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources) remain firm in safeguarding Filipino fisherfolk and upholding the country’s sovereignty and sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea,” the NMC said.
It added that the Philippine government will take the “appropriate diplomatic action” to protest China’s actions and urged Beijing to “cease these actions, respect international law, and avoid further escalation.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it will file a diplomatic protest against China after a Chinese ship “deliberately rammed” BRP Datu Pagbuaya that was providing cover for Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea.
“China must be sincere and hold true to its call for dialogue and consultation by demonstrating constructive actions and desisting from all provocative actions,” the NMC said in its statement.
Philippine vessels were anchored in the territorial waters of Pag-asa Island — nearly 500 kilometers west of Palawan — to protect Filipino fishermen there when they “faced dangerous and provocative maneuvers” from the CCG and Chinese maritime militia vessels. —With Katrina Manubay
