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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider With damaged ships and injured Pinoy seamen, China's sincerity on WPS peaceful dialogue questioned

With damaged ships and injured Pinoy seamen, China's sincerity on WPS peaceful dialogue questioned

Published Mar 5, 2024 10:24 am

No amount of dangerous maneuvers and deployment of water cannon will discourage the Philippines in continuing its rotation and resupply missions for Filipino troops on board the BRP Sierra Madre at the Ayungin Shoal, the National Task Force-West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) said on Tuesday, March 5, after another case of harassment by Chinese vessels.

In a statement, the NTF-WPS insisted that the Ayungin Shoal is well within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone and continental shelf and therefore, the Philippine government has every right to exercise its legal rights in the area.

“The Philippines will not be deterred from exercising our legal rights over our maritime zones, including Ayungin Shoal which forms part of our Exclusive Economic Zone and continental shelf. We demand that China demonstrate that it is a responsible and trustworthy member of the international community,” the statement read.

The NTF-WPS statement came after another incident of harassment by Chinese Coast Guard and Chinese Maritime Militia on Philippine ships conducting a rotation and resupply mission at the Ayungin Shoal on Tuesday, March 5.

The Philippine Coast Guard said the dangerous maneuvers done by Chinese vessels to block the resupply mission resulted in a collision that caused minor injuries in one of the two vessels deployed in the area.

The NTF-WPS, on the other hand, said the collision also inflicted injuries to some of the crew members of the civilian ship tapped to bring the supply to Filipino troops at the BRP Sierra Madre.

“Throughout the operation, the PCG vessels faced dangerous maneuvers and blocking from Chinese Coast Guard vessels and Chinese Maritime Militia,” said Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea.

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

What happened?

According to the NTF-WPS, China Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) vessels harassed, blocked, deployed water cannons, and executed dangerous maneuvers in another attempt to block the routine resupply and rotation mission.

It narrated that at around 6:30 a.m., CCG vessel 21555 executed dangerous blocking maneuvers against Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel MRRV 4407, which caused a minor collision resulting in superficial structural damage to the hull of the PCG vessel.

At 8:15 a.m., the NTF-WPS said another CCG vessel caused a minor collision with Unaizah May 4 (UM4) due to its dangerous blocking maneuvers.

“CCG vessels 21555 and 21551 deployed water cannons simultaneously against the supply boat UM4,” the statement read.

The use of water cannons by the CCG vessels, according to the NTF-WPS, shattered the wind shield of UM4 and caused minor injuries to at least four personnel on board.

At 09:36 p.m., the injured personnel were treated by Philippine Coast Guard personnel from MRRV.

“Due to the damage and injuries to the vessel and crew, UM4 proceeded back to mainland Palawan under escort of MRRV 4407,” the statement added.

At 9:30 a.m., the NTF-WPS said Unaizah May 1 (UM1) successfully docked with LS57 and began its resupply.

It concluded its resupply and departed BRP Sierra Madre at 10:54 a.m.

Peaceful dialogue?

“Once again, China's latest unprovoked acts of coercion and dangerous maneuvers against a legitimate and routine Philippine rotation and resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal, have put the lives of our people at risk and caused actual injury to Filipinos on board UM4,” the NTF-WPS said.

“The systematic and consistent manner in which the People's Republic of China carries out these illegal and irresponsible actions puts into question the sincerity of its calls for peaceful dialogue and lessening of tensions,” it added.

The NTF-WPS said the Philippine government has been consistently acting peacefully and responsibly, which it stressed, is consistent with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award.

“Peace and stability cannot be achieved without due regard for the legitimate, well-established, and legally settled rights of others,” the NTF-WPS said.

Related Tags

Resupply mission NTF-WPS West Philippine Sea Ayungin Shoal
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