Some 21 countries have backed the Philippines following the recent incident between Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) and Philippine vessels at the Ayungin Shoal.
Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said on Monday, March 25, that some 21 countries have expressed support to the Philippines over the firing of water cannon by CCG to Unaizah May 4 (UM4) last March 23 to bring supplies to the grounded BRP Sierra Madre in the Ayungin Shoal.
“The DFA thanks the international community for their continued expressions of support to the Philippines and the defense of the international order based on international law,” she said.
"To date, some 21 countries/partners have issued (a) statement of support," she added.
These were Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, European Union, Finland, France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Romania, Republic of Korea, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Daza further said, "remains committed to take all appropriate diplomatic actions to protest the violation of the Philippine sovereign rights and jurisdiction and violations of international law, particularly United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)."
"As mentioned in the NTF-WPS (National Task Force-West Philippine Sea) statement of 23 March 2024, the Philippines will not be deterred by threats or hostility, from exercising its legal rights over its maritime zones, including Ayungin Shoal, which forms part of the Philippine EEZ (exclusive economic zone) and continental shelf," Daza said.
The DFA official also noted that the country has lodged 14 protests against China this year, and has filed a total of 147 note verbales under President Marcos' administration.