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EU envoy 'concerned' by China's apparent aggression vs PH vessels

Philippines | National

EU envoy 'concerned' by China's apparent aggression vs PH vessels

By Joseph Pedrajas

The European Union's (EU) top diplomat in Manila said Tuesday, March 5, he was "concerned" about China's apparent "aggression" in the West Philippine Sea when its coast guard made a dangerous maneuver against its Philippine counterpart that eventually led to a collision.

In a post on X, EU Ambassador Luc Veron expressed concern about the "pattern of dangerous maneuvers and blocking from Chinese Coast Guard vessels and Maritime Militia targeting Philippine vessels engaged in crucial resupply missions."

"The EU reiterates the call for all parties to abide by the legally binding 2016 Arbitration Award and international law to peacefully resolve disputes, guaranteeing safety in maritime waters," Veron added.

On Tuesday morning, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) released a video taken in the West Philippine Sea showing a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) ship blocking the path of a smaller Philippine ship.

The incident took place as PCG vessels BRP Cabra and BRP Sindagan were deployed to support the Rotation and Reprovisioning Operation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

"Throughout the operation, the PCG vessels faced dangerous maneuvers and blocking from Chinese Coast Guard vessels and Chinese Maritime Militia," Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesman, said.

"Their reckless and illegal actions led to a collision between MRRV-4407 and China Coast Guard 21555 that resulted to minor structural damage to the PCG vessel," he added.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has yet to respond whether it would file a diplomatic protest against China over the incident.

So far, nine protests were already lodged against Beijing in 2024 alone, while 142 were filed since President Marcos assumed his post in July 2022, figures from the DFA showed.

Related Tags

Chinese harassment Luc Veron European Union South China Sea

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