The Philippines questioned China’s commitment to de-escalating tensions in the West Philippine Sea following the recent ramming and water cannon incident near the Escoda Shoal.
In a press statement issued on Monday, the National Maritime Council deplored the ”repeated aggressive, unprofessional and illegal actions” displayed by Chinese maritime forces against Philippine vessels and aircraft in the past week.
”That these provocative and dangerous actions were made in the space of only a week is alarming, and calls into question China’s supposed commitment to de-escalate the situation in the area and create a conducive environment for dialogue and consultation,” the NMC said.
According to the NMC, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ activities were lawful and were under its mandates.
The council also emphasized that Manila had never provoked Beijing, which has relied on ”deliberate and intentional harassment and intimidation to interfere with Philippine sovereign operations, and endanger the safety of Filipinos aboard Philippine vessels and aircraft conducting their routine missions.”
The maritime council also maintained that China’s illegal activities showed its ”wanton disregard” for UNCLOS and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, which invalidated its massive claim in the resource-rich region.
The Philippines vowed to continue to stand firm in the conduct of its lawful operations and expose the illegal presence and violations of Chinese vessels and aircraft within the Philippines’ maritime zones.
”The Philippines will never waver in exercising its sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction, and defending its maritime and archipelagic interests consistent with international law,” the NMC said.
Further, the Philippine government would continue its proper diplomatic approaches to resolve the ongoing maritime issues in the region.
It further called on Beijing to return to constructive dialogue on matters related to the West Philippine Sea.
Aside from the recent ramming incident, an aircraft of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) was met with Chinese flares at least three times at the Zamora Reef last week.
Armed Forces Chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. said the incident at the Zamora Reef was an escalation of Beijing’s atrocities. — DVM, GMA Integrated News
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