The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has urged the China Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese maritime militia (CMM) to stop conducting “illegal” activities within the maritime territory of the Philippines.
This, after CCG and CMM vessels again performed dangerous maneuvers and blockade formations to stop a rotation and reprovisioning (RoRe) mission of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Friday, Sept. 8.
“The PCG calls upon the CCG and CMM to immediately cease any illegal activities within the maritime zones of the Philippines. Doing so can foster a stable, secure, and rules-based maritime order conducive to regional cooperation and peace,” Commo. Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for WPS, said.
According to Tarriela, four CCG ships identified as CCG 21616, CCG 21551, CCG 21556, and CCG 5305; and four CMM vessels identified as QIONG SANSHA YU 00231, QIONG SANSHA YU 00115, QIONG SANSHA YU 00114, and QIONG SANSHA YU 00008 sailed closely with the two supply boats chartered by AFP to bring replenishments to troops station onboard BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.
The supply boats were escorted by PCG ships BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409) and BRP Sindangan (MRRV-4407).
Tarriela said the Chinese vessels’ actions jeopardized the crew members’ safety aboard the PCG vessels and supply boats.
“Despite the challenging circumstances brought about by the illegal presence and activities of the CCG and CMM in our exclusive economic zone, the mission was carried out successfully. The much-needed supplies were delivered to our dedicated troops aboard the BRP Sierra Madre,” Tarriela confirmed.
Ayungin Shoal is an atoll located 106 nautical miles from Palawan or within the 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines, and around 600 nautical miles from the nearest point in China.
Tarriela said the PCG “stands shoulder-to-shoulder” with the AFP in their shared commitment to safeguard the country’s sovereignty, sovereign rights, and maritime jurisdiction over Ayungin Shoal in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award.
He also emphasized that the PCG supports President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call during the recently concluded ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia for Southeast Asian nations to “unite against the use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels in the South China Sea to pursue claims inconsistent with international law.”
The CCG earlier protested the resupply mission, saying that the Philippine vessels illegally entered their territory.
The resupply mission was the third iteration in five weeks, following the August 5 operation which was marred by water cannon attack by CCG and the successful August 22 follow up mission.