The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Sunday, Aug. 6, asserted the Philippines’ sovereign rights on Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal as two more diplomatic posts raised concern over the water cannon incident involving China Coast Guard (CCG) and Filipino sea vessels.

China Coast Guard blocked and used water cannon on Philippine supply ships in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023. (PCG photo)

In a statement, the DFA affirmed that the Ayungin Shoal “is a low tide elevation that is part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, pursuant to the 1982 UNCLOS and as affirmed by the 2016 Arbitral Award.”

UNCLOS is the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

“The Philippines exercises sovereign rights and jurisdiction over Ayungin Shoal. The  Department is fully aware of the  incident reported and shares the concerns raised by the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and PCG (Philippine Coast Guard) in their statements,” it added.

Col. Medel Aguilar, spokesperson of the AFP, said in a statement that CCG vessels blocked and water cannoned Philippine chartered supply boats “while en route to Ayungin Shoal for a routine troop rotation and resupply mission” to the BRP Sierra Madre on Saturday, Aug. 5.

The DFA said it will host a joint press conference on Monday, Aug. 7, with the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea “to shed light on this serious incident in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal.”

Meanwhile, Canada and the United Kingdom joined other foreign governments in decrying the recent incidents at the Ayungin Shoal.

“The UK is concerned by reports of unsafe conduct towards (Philippine) vessels in a recent incident in the South China Sea. Such action poses serious risks to regional peace & stability. (UK) stands steadfast in its commitment to international law, in particular UNCLOS, in the South China Sea,” the British Embassy in Manila said in a Twitter post.

Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines David Bruce Hartman also shared that Canada “unreservedly condemns the dangerous and provocative actions taken by the Chinese Coast Guard against Philippine vessels on August 5th, in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal inside the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Philippines.”

Calling them “reckless actions,” the envoy maintained that Canada was “in full solidarity with the Philippines in upholding the rules-based international order.”

“Unsafe maneuvers and use of water cannons to disrupt the lawful operations of Philippine vessels is unacceptable, and inconsistent with the obligations of the People's Republic of China (PRC) under international law,” he added.

By continuing what he called “acts of intimidation and coercion,” China is undermining “safety, security and stability across the region, and raise the risks of grave miscalculation.”

The ambassador expressed support for the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling that invalidated the basis of China’s sweeping claims in the resource-rich region, and called on Beijing “to comply with its obligations under international law.”

“Only by ensuring full respect for international law can we collectively set conditions for effective and collaborative management of maritime resources, maintenance of maritime safety and security, preservation of marine biodiversity, and respect for maritime boundaries, while ensuring the rights of all states under international law are protected,” Hartman furthered.