The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday, June 19, urged China to stop actions and behaviors in the disputed South China Sea that would put the lives of personnel at risk after a recent incident wherein a China Coast Guard (CCG) and Philippine vessels collided near the Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.

DFA (File Photo/MANILA BULLETIN)

In a statement, the department expressed “grave concern” over the recent resupply mission to the grounded BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal that was disrupted by the CCG.
 

“The DFA denounces the illegal and aggressive actions of Chinese authorities that resulted in personnel injury and vessel damage,” the statement read.
 

Stressing that the Philippines is committed to pursuing peace, the DFA is said to be “exerting efforts to rebuild a conducive environment for dialogue and consultation with China on the South China Sea.”
 

“This cannot be achieved if China’s words do not match their actions on the waters. We expect China to act sincerely and responsibly, and refrain from behavior that puts to risk the safety of personnel and vessels,” it added.
 

The statement called on China “to adhere to international law, especially UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award, and respect the Philippines’ sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in our own waters.”
 

On Monday, June 17, there were reports that vessels of the Philippines and China had a minor collision near the shoal where the grounded military ship was located.
 

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS), and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) were initially mum on the issue, but the NTF-WPS later said China engaged in “dangerous maneuvers, including ramming and towing” while Philippine authorities were conducting routine rotation and resupply mission.
 

In a statement on Monday, the CCG said that a Philippine replenishment ship “ignored many solemn warnings from the Chinese side” and that it approached the Chinese vessel “in an unprofessional way, resulting in a collision.”
 

China has accused the ship of having “illegally broken” into its territory.
 

The Philippines and China have traded accusations over collisions and dangerous maneuvers near the Ayungin Shoal in the past months, with Beijing firing water cannons at Philippine sea vessels.
 

However, the DFA made no mention that it would file a case before the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) and the Human Rights Council agencies as suggested by Senator Francis Tolentino.
 

As of June 18, the DFA has already filed a total of 163 note verbales under the administration of President Marcos against China’s actions in the resource-rich waters.
 

Of this number, 30 were filed this year.