MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government on Monday called for restraint and adherence to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) to prevent further escalation of tension and ensure the safety of all sea vessels following the collision incidents between Filipino and Chinese coast guard ships in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
The National Task Force on WPS (NTF-WPS) reported that two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels sustained damage after the “unlawful and aggressive maneuvers” by China Coast Guard (CCG) ships while en route to Patag and Lawak Islands for a resupply mission early on Sunday, August 18.
This handout photo taken and released by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on August 19, 2024 shows damage to the Coast Guard ship BRP Cape Engano (MRRV-4411) following a collision with a Chinese coast guard vessel near Sabina Shoal in disputed waters of the South China Sea. AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD (PCG)
This handout photo taken and released by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on August 19, 2024 shows damage to the Coast Guard ship BRP Bagacay (MRRV-4410) following a collision with a Chinese coast guard vessel near Sabina Shoal in disputed waters of the South China Sea. AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD (PCG)
This handout photo taken and released by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on August 19, 2024 shows damage in the auxiliary room on the port side of the Coast Guard ship BRP Bagacay (MRRV-4410) following a collision with a Chinese coast guard vessel near Sabina Shoal in disputed waters of the South China Sea. AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD (PCG)
This handout photo taken and released by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on August 19, 2024 shows damage to the Coast Guard ship BRP Cape Engano (MRRV-4411) following a collision with a Chinese coast guard vessel near Sabina Shoal in disputed waters of the South China Sea. AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD (PCG)
This handout photo taken and released by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on August 19, 2024 shows damage to the Coast Guard ship BRP Cape Engano (MRRV-4411) following a collision with a Chinese coast guard vessel near Sabina Shoal in disputed waters of the South China Sea. AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD (PCG)
Sunday’s collisions took place 10 days after the dropping of flares by Chinese fighter jets near the flight path of a Philippine Air Force NC-212i aircraft conducting a routine maritime patrol over Bajo de Masinloc last August 8.
NTF-WPS spokesman and National Security Council (NSC) Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said
they are “disappointed again with this development” especially since the Philippines has a preliminary understanding with China “in so far as Second Thomas Shoal is concerned, or BRP Sierra Madre is concerned” which the government hoped “was the first page in a new chapter between (the) Philippines and PRC (People’s Republic of China) relations.”
Malaya said that the PCG shall be “steadfast in its responsibility to ensure the safety and security of our maritime domain while addressing any threats to our national interests.”
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