THE China Coast Guard (CCG) on Wednesday urged the Philippines to stop “intruding”‘ into Huangyan Island (Scarborough Shoal), insisting that the area is within China’s jurisdiction.
“We urge the Philippines to stop its infringing actions immediately. The Chinese Coast Guard will continue to carry out rights protection and law enforcement activities in the waters under China’s jurisdiction under the law and firmly safeguard the country’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests,” Liu Dejun, a spokesman for CCG, said on Wednesday, October 8.
In a statement shared by the Chinese Embassy in Manila, Liu said, “On Oct. 8, Philippine ships 3001 and 3002 insisted on intruding into the waters near China’s Huangyan Island without the Chinese government’s permission.”
A Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) patrol ship sails near Filipino fishermen aboard a motorized wooden boat as they sail towards Scarborough Shoal in the disputed South China Sea, 16 May 2024. EPA-EFE/FRANCIS R. MALASIG
“The Chinese Coast Guard ships tracked and monitored the entire process and took control measures under the law,” Liu added.
“The on-site operations were professional, standardized, legitimate and legal. China has indisputable sovereignty over Huangyan Island and its surrounding waters, as well as sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the relevant waters,” the CCG spokesman said.
Earlier in the day, CCG vessels again disrupted the resupply mission to Filipino ships in Scarborough Shoal. However, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) confirmed that China’s attempt failed to reach the boats.
According to BFAR, BRP Datu Cabaylo (MMOV 3301) and BRP Datu Sanday (MMOV 2002) were on a routine resupply mission to the Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough) Shoal when three CCG ships and one Chinese Navy vessel began to approach and shadow them.
“Despite the dangerous maneuvers and use of water cannons, both BFAR vessels managed to deliver supplies to the Filipino fisherfolk near Bajo de Masinloc,” BFAR said.
The BFAR ships successfully resupplied seven Filipino mother vessels and 16 fishing boats near the shoal.
“BFAR is dedicated to patrolling all Philippine maritime zones and providing support and assistance to Filipino fisherfolk in the West Philippine Sea,” the agency said.
Meanwhile, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada encouraged the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Navy to increase their patrolling forces in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Estrada, who chairs the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, appealed to the two agencies to intensify patrols in the WPS to ensure the safety of personnel and the security of the ocean.
The legislator further emphasized that the Senate will not overlook the CCG’s exaggeration and inhumane treatment of Filipino personnel, which he said is a clear violation of our sovereign rights and rules-based international order based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos).
The senator insisted that the CCG be held accountable for all its attacks on the country because the safety and sovereignty of Filipino personnel are non-negotiable.
The Philippines and China claim Scarborough Shoal, a little more than 100 miles from the Philippines and 500 miles from China. China insists it has sovereignty over the area, despite a UN tribunal ruling that China’s vast claims over the South China Sea had no legal basis.
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