THE United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and France and several other nations, along with the European Union, yesterday condemned China’s latest water cannon attack at Philippine vessels at the West Philippine Sea (WPS), saying the action undermines regional stability and the rule of law.
It was the second day in a row that Manila’s allies and partners hit China’s aggressive moves in the WPS, including blocking and turning its water cannons on Philippine Coast Guard vessels on a resupply mission to the same area yesterday.
Ayungin Shoal is in the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and as upheld by the 2016 ruling of the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA).
In Sunday’s incident, the embassies of Germany, Japan, Canada, Ireland, Finland, Australia, Korea and New Zealand either condemned or expressed concern over China’s move and called for respect and adherence to international law in resolving maritime territorial disputes.
US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson reiterated Washington’s support for Manila and called on Beijing to cease its aggressive and dangerous maneuvers.
“The United States stands with the Philippines and partners in vehemently condemning the People’s Republic of China’s repeated illegal and dangerous actions against Philippine vessels, including disrupting the Philippine resupply missions to the Sierra Madre today.
PRC aggression undermines regional stability in defiance of a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Carlson said on X, formerly Twitter.
The US and the Philippines have the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) and Washington has repeatedly said an armed attack on Philippine ships, aircraft or troops in the South China Sea will automatically invoke the treaty.
DISPUTE MECHANISMS
European Union Ambassador Luc Veron said China should adhere to the arbitral award in resolving maritime disputes in the area.
“Another deeply troubling incident today, water cannons were used again. UNCLOS dispute settlement mechanisms maintain the rule of law, The 2016 UNCLOS Tribunal Award is a valuable framework for peaceful resolution,” Veron said.
“Water cannons and dangerous sea maneuvers aren’t a legitimate alternative,” he added.
Veron was referring to the 2016 PCA ruling which invalidated China’s massive claims in the South China Sea (SCS), to include the WPS, saying it has no historical nor legal basis.
Beijing has refused to honor the arbitral award and insisted on bilateral talks to resolve the dispute.
French Ambassador Marie Fontanel said her government is condemning China’s use of water cannons against Philippine vessels.
“UNCLOS was signed exactly 41 years ago December 10, 1982. Today more than ever, France recalls the value of international law to ensure freedom of navigation and is, once again, seriously concerned by the use of water cannons in the Philippine exclusive economic zone to prevent a resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre,” Fontanel said.
Australian Ambassador Hae Kyong Yu said: “Australia remains steadfast in support of UNCLOS and international law. China’s further dangerous actions against Philippine vessels today, following yesterday’s incident, again risk lives and livelihoods and are deeply concerning.”
UNDERMINING STABILITY
Japanese Ambassador to Manila Koshikawa Kazuhiko also joined in the condemnation of China’s aggressive moves.
“Gravely concerned about repeated dangerous actions by CCG vessels against PH vessels.
Japan stands with the Philippines in support of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. Japan opposes actions that undermine the peace and stability in SCS,” the Japanese envoy said.
The embassy of New Zealand also expressed concern over “dangerous actions” against Philippine vessels in the area.
The New Zealand Embassy is deeply concerned at multiple incidents of dangerous actions towards the Philippines at Scarborough Shoal and Second Thomas Shoal. This includes obstructing civilian boats and the use of water cannons against Philippine vessels, causing significant damage,” the embassy said.
The embassy of the Republic of Korea said it is “concerned about the recent use of water cannons against Philippine vessels in the South China Sea.”
“We reaffirm our strong support for peace, stability and rules-based order in the South China Sea and for the freedom of navigation and overflight based on the principles of international law, including UNCLOS,” it added.
LEGAL ARENA
Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra said a legal case against China’s continued aggressive moves will include the incidents over the weekend.
Though he did not directly answer if the recent incidents will finally prod Malacañang to file a case against China before an international tribunal, Guevarra said the twin incidents on Saturday and Sunday will not escape the eyes of the country’s political leaders.
“I’m sure that China’s repeated provocative actions in the West Philippine Sea have not been lost in the consciousness of our political leaders. On the part of the Office of the Solicitor General, we are laying the groundwork for any legal action that may be taken in the future,” Guevarra said when sought for updates on the issue.
Guevarra said the recent incidents will serve to further bolster the country’s position against China in the legal arena.
“Definitely (we will include it as additional evidence against China). At some point, China will have to face the consequences of its wrongful acts before the international community, “Guevarra added.
‘RECALL PH ENVOY’
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri yesterday urged President Marcos Jr to send Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian home.
“He has done nothing to address the continued attacks of his government on our troops and on our people,” Zubiri said in a statement.
“I strongly condemn the latest attack of Chinese ships on Philippine government vessels in the West Philippine Sea… This time, China not only caused damage to property but they also put Filipino lives at risk. This was a humanitarian mission and still China chose to attack them. They have no heart,” he added.
Zubiri said the Chinese “have gone from unlawfully blocking us from navigating our own waters” and are now deliberately damaging Philippine vessels which endanger people’s lives, all happening during this Christmas season.
Senate majority leader Joel Villanueva said the Philippines might be facing a “giant” in the WPS “but we must also be reminded that David had defeated Goliath.”
“Might does not give China the right to fire water cannons at our vessels, make dangerous maneuvers or block humanitarian missions. China has to adhere to international laws, such as the UNCLOS, and must stop encroaching into the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone,” Villanueva said in a statement.
RESTRAINT
Sen. Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada asked China to respect international laws, exercise restraint, and cases all actions “that jeopardize the peace and security of the region.”
“The Philippines has consistently advocated for peaceful and diplomatic solutions to disputes, and we call on all parties involved to engage in meaningful dialogue to address the root causes of these incidents. We must pursue avenues that promote cooperation, understanding, and respect for each other’s rights in the pursuit of a stable and secure region,” said Estrada, Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification, and Reconciliation chairman.
Estrada said the Chinese Coast Guard’s actions are illegal and show total disregard for human rights and Philippine sovereignty.
“We stand united in condemning these latest aggressive actions taken by CCG. We will not be cowed by any action to intimidate or undermine our sovereign rights,” he added.
Sen. Francis Tolentino said the latest Chinese bullying deserves to be condemned.
“We strongly condemn China’s use of water cannon against civilian research vessels near Bajo de Masinloc within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, undermining peace and stability in the region,” Tolentino said.
“We hope that the international community will remain united against harassment and that the festive spirit of generosity and goodwill will not be shadowed by the forces of intimidation. The Chinese Coast Guard should not spoil our Christmas with unwarranted aggression,” he added.
This latest Chinese aggression happened weeks after China joined 18 other Asia-Pacific countries in signing a joint communiqué which recognizes freedom of navigation under the UNCLOS, during the recently-concluded 31st Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum held in Manila from November 23 to 25.
Zubiri called the joint communiqué “historic” because China acknowledged the freedom of navigation in the seas under the UNCLOS as he hoped that Beijing would stop its coast guard and maritime militias from harassing Philippine vessels in the WPS.
‘UNJUSTIFIABLE’
Speaker Martin Romualdez denounced China’s latest aggression against Filipino vessels, saying
It is “unacceptable and unjustifiable.”
“These actions by the (CCG), in preventing our vessels from conducting a peaceful resupply mission to Filipino fishermen near Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), demonstrate a brazen disrespect for the rule of law and established international agreements,” he said in a statement.
The Speaker underscored the importance of reminding the international community that Scarborough Shoal lies within the Philippines’ 370-km exclusive economic zone, as established by the 2016 arbitral ruling, which China continues to ignore.
Romualdez said such acts of intimidation and harassment against Filipino fisherfolk “are not only a violation of their rights but also an affront to human dignity.”
“To prevent the distribution of humanitarian support is not only illegal but also inhumane,” he said.
Rep. France Castro reminded the Chinese Foreign Ministry that “no country in the world aside from China recognizes its right to the West Philippine Sea (WPS).”
“The Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling on the South China Sea arbitration is the one recognized by the world. It is China’s claim that is ‘illegal, null and void,’” she said.
“China should wake up from its delusion and face reality. The Philippines has every right to protect its territorial integrity and ensure the welfare of its people. China has no right to dictate our actions within our own territory,” she also said. — With Raymond Africa and Wendell Vigilia
