The use of water cannon and the dangerous maneuvers by Chinese vessels even on Philippine civilian ships are but indications which of the two countries are creating instability in the West Philippine Sea, a military official said on Monday, Dec 26.
Col. Medel Aguilar, spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), said the Philippine government has been following international laws and rules in the conducting activities in the West Philippine Sea, including the distribution of assistance package to Filipino fishermen and delivery of supplies to Filipibno soldiers stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre at the Ayungin Shoal.
“We are abiding the law in the implementation of these activities. We do not initiate activities that would put in danger the lives of other sailors like what they have been doing,” said Aguilar in response to the statement of China that the Philippines has been violating its sovereignty.
“They are conductiung shadowing, dangerous maneuvers, they even fire water cannons and sometimes, these actions would result in collision. So they are the ones doing all the violations,” he added.
On Dec. 9, Chinese vessels fired water cannon on a ship of the Bureau of Fisheries and Acquatic Resources whose personnel were then distributing assistance package to local fishermen.
The following day, another Chinese vessel fired water cannon on civilian ships and a vessel of the Philippine Coast Guard which were then on a mission ot delive supplies to members of the Philippine Marines at the Ayungin Shoal.
On the same incident, one of the Chinese vessels rammed one of the Philippine civilian vessel boarding AFP chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner.
Aguilar then insisted that all the activities of the Philippine government in the West Philippine Seas are governed by the international laws on the aspects of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and sovereignty.
“We are following the international law and implementing our domestic laws. This means that we are doing this in our territorial waters, within our EEZ wherein we have our sovereign rights and jurisdiction to make them clean and safe for all,” said Aguilar.
Alliance
China also accused the Philippine government of provoking instability in the region by allowing other countries to conduct activities in the West Philippine Sea.
But Aguilar pointed out that the Philippines’ alliance with other countries is part of the efforts to ensure peace and stability in the region.
“On our alliance with other countries, many of these countries are joining us in our fight to strengthen an international law called the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) because this is the only way to peacefully resolve maritime disputes,” said Aguilar.
Permanent structures in WPS
Several lawmakers have been proposing for the contruction of permanent structures in the West Philippine Sea, at least as shelter for Filipino fishermen.
The lawmakers said they are willing to support for at least P100 million funding on the construction of the structures.
Aguilar said the proposal needs planning and coordination with other government agencies.
“This should be planned because it should be an inter-agency program. This is a shelter for fisherfolks and therefore it will involve different government agencies,” said Aguialr.
“Now, on the part of the AFP, we are ready to undertake that,” he added.