Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 8) — The Philippines could not reach China when it tried to contact Beijing through the hotline established between the two countries when Chinese vessels fired water cannon and blocked Philippine boats at Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea last week, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Monday.
“The DFA also expressed our disappointment that the Department was unable to reach its counterpart through the maritime communication mechanism for several hours while the incident was occurring,” Foreign Affairs spokesperson Teresita Daza said.
The DFA urged Beijing officials to address the concerns of Philippine officials regarding the hotlines that were established to quickly resolve issues in the West Philippine Sea.
“[The DFA] expressed our hope that the Chinese side would reciprocate, with the same sense of urgency, the communications initiated by the Philippines as has been demonstrated by the Philippines when receiving communications initiated by the Chinese side,” it added.
During the state visit of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Beijing in January, Marcos and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to establish a hotline to prevent the escalation of tensions and avoid maritime mishaps in the West Philippine Sea.
These concerns were brought up when DFA Undersecretary Theresa Lazaro summoned Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian on Monday to convey the strong protest of the Philippine government.
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Apart from asserting that Ayungin Shoal is part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), Lazaro also told Huang that China has its obligations to ensure that maritime accidents will be prevented.
“The DFA further called China’s attention that its actions are likewise contrary to China’s Flag State obligations under the 1972 International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, which requires states to take measures necessary to ensure safety at sea and prevent ship collisions. The China Coast Guard vessels’ dangerous maneuvers restricted the Philippine vessels’ navigational path, thereby increasing the risk of collision,” the DFA added.
