Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 6) — Lawmakers and foreign envoys have condemned China’s latest aggression in the West Philippine Sea — this time for its use of water cannons against Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels escorting indigenous boats during a resupply mission on Saturday.
READ: Chinese coast guard fired water cannons on PH vessels en route to Ayungin Shoal – PCG
“China’s repeated provocations are in complete violation of UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award. I call on our regional neighbors and the broader international community to join the Philippines in condemning this dangerous behavior,” Sen. Risa Hontiveros said.
She also wants the Philippines to begin joint patrols with other claimant countries in the South China Sea, including Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei, saying that these nations need to cooperate to halt China’s aggression.
On Friday, a National Security Council official said the Philippines and the United States may begin joint patrols in the West Philippine Sea in the next few months.
Minority Leader Sen. Koko Pimentel said the latest incident should be resolved through “diplomacy and ‘intelligent tactics.’”
Pimentel also cautioned against the invocation of the country’s Mutual Defense Treaty with the United States over the incident, which stipulates that Manila and Washington would come to each other’s aid in the event of an attack by an external party.
Majority Leader Sen. Joel Villanueva, Sen. JV Ejercito and brother Sen. Jinggoy Estrada called on the government to heed the Senate’s resolution condemning Beijing for its bullying and illegal activities over the contested waters.
The measure, adopted just five days before the latest water cannon incident, urged the Department of Foreign Affairs to enforce Philippine sovereignty over the disputed area, and to raise China’s continued harassment to the United Nations General Assembly.
Envoys slam China
Foreign diplomats condemned Beijing and voiced their support for the 2016 arbitral ruling under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in favor of Manila, which negated Beijing’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea.
Japan’s ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhiko Koshikawa said China’s latest transgression was “totally unacceptable,” and endangered navigational safety.
Totally unacceptable any harassment & actions which infringe on lawful activities of the sea and endanger the navigational safety. We strongly support PH’s position; upholding maritime order based on UNCLOS & 2016 Arbitral Award. https://t.co/jQXeXwIZBm
— Ambassador of Japan in the Philippines (@AmbJPNinPH) August 6, 2023
Australian ambassador HK Yu expressed her country’s concern over China’s actions which she described as “dangerous and destabilizing.”
Australia is concerned by the latest actions directed against the Philippines, which are dangerous and destabilising. We reiterate our call for peace, stability, and respect for UNCLOS in the South China Sea – a vital international waterway.
— HK Yu PSM (@AusAmbPH) August 6, 2023
“Our government, through the DFA, should seriously consider responding to Senate Resolution 718 and act swiftly. Malinaw na malinaw na hindi nirerespesto ng China ang PCG, ang mga karapatan natin, ang soberanya ng bansa,” Estrada said in a statement.
[Translation: It is very clear that China does not respect the PCG, our rights, the sovereignty of the country.]
Meanwhile, Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go condemned Beijing’s action and reminded the Chinese government of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jin Ping.
“Kakapunta lang po ni dating pangulong Duterte diyan sa inyo. Stop bullying us. Nakikiusap po ako. Alam n’yo naging mabuti naman po ang ating gobyerno nung panahon ni Pangulong Duterte sa inyo,” Go said.
[Translation: Former president Duterte just visited your country. Stop bullying us. I’m begging you. You know that our government during the time of President Duterte was good to you.]
Xi reportedly acknowledged Duterte’s “important contributions to friendly exchanges between the two countries” during their meeting.
The German Embassy in Manila also expressed concern as it stressed that “disputes must be resolved peacefully not by force or coercion.”
