We have our hand for European Union ambassador Luc Veron who has expressed serious concern over China’s latest menacing maneuvers against Philippine resupply vessels that resulted in a collision in the disputed West Philippine Sea.
At the same time, we applaud Speaker Martin Romualdez who reaffirmed the other day the full support of the House of Representatives for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s initiative to continuously enhance the capabilities of the Philippine Coast Guard and modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines amid rising tension in the WPS.
European Union’s top diplomat Veron, in a statement on X, said, and we quote: “Troubled by today’s pattern of dangerous maneuvers and blocking from Chinese Coast Guard vessels and Maritime Militia targeting Philippine vessels engaged in crucial resupply missions.”
A Philippine Coast Guard vessel escorting the rotation and reprovisioning operation of the Armed Forces collided with a bigger Chinese Coast Guard ship Tuesday morning – the first serious incident reported since diplomats from both sides held talks in Shanghai on Jan. 17 to deescalate tensions in the waters.
Philippine vessels were on their way to the grounded ship BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal to deliver supplies to Navy personnel stationed in the area when the incident happened.
China was of course quick to defend its actions, saying Philippine vessels trespassed into Chinese territory, which is not legally correct since an arbitral ruling by the The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 ruled overwhelmingly in favor of the Philippines.
It determined that major elements of China’s claim – including its nine-dash line, recent land reclamation activities, and other activities in Philippine waters – has no legal basis. .
World War II-era vessel BRP Sierra Madre has been at the Scarborough shoal, very near Philippine shores, since 1999 and serves as a Philippine military outpost at the tiny South China Sea feature, also known by its international name, Second Thomas Shoal.
Also known as Ayungin shoal, it is 105.77 nautical miles from Palawan and constitutes part of the country’s 200-nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone and continental shelf as provided under a United Nations convention.
Manila decided in 1999 to deploy a permanent station on Ayungin Shoal in response to China’s illegal occupation of Panganiban Reef, also known as Mischief Reef, a Philippine territory, in 1995.
We quote again the European Union diplomat Veron, who said: “The EU reiterates the call for all parties to abide by the legally binding 2016 Arbitration Award and international law to peacefully resolve disputes, guaranteeing safety in maritime waters.”
We raise our hopes the level-headed policy makers will see the wisdom in peacefully resolving disputes instead of using bully tactics.