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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Romualdez has tough words for China after latest incident in West Philippine Sea

Romualdez has tough words for China after latest incident in West Philippine Sea

Published Aug 19, 2024 08:56 am

At A Glance

  • House Speaker Martin Romualdez has condemned "in the strongest terms" what he described on Monday, Aug. 19 as the "reckless and illegal maneuvers" executed by the China Coast Guard (CCG) against two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). 

IMG-aeac6069296c714860c59fdc904b5bf2-V.jpgHouse Speaker Martin Romualdez (Speaker’s office)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



House Speaker Martin Romualdez has condemned “in the strongest terms" what he described on Monday, Aug. 19 as the "reckless and illegal maneuvers" executed by the China Coast Guard (CCG) against two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). 

The two PCG vessels involved were the BRP Bagacay and BRP Cape Engaño. 

“This brazen and unwarranted aggression resulted in dangerous collisions that could have led to tragic consequences,” Romualdez, leader of the 300-plus strong House of Representatives, said in a statement. 

Romualdez said the “deliberate actions of the [CCG] are a direct affront to our sovereignty and a blatant violation of international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to which both the Philippines and China are signatories.” 

The Speaker called on Beijing “to exercise restraint and cease all actions that endanger lives and violate international norms". 

“The path forward must be one of dialogue and mutual respect, not confrontation and aggression. The safety and security of our region depend on it,” said the lawyer-congressman from the University of the Philippines (UP). 

“We remain resolute in our commitment to uphold the dignity and sovereignty of the Republic of the Philippines. We will continue to work with our allies and partners to ensure that the rule of law prevails in the West Philippine Sea,” he said. 

He reminded China that the Philippines “has consistently upheld its commitment to peace and stability in the region, exercising maximum restraint despite repeated provocations". 

“However, these recent events are not mere incidents but part of a troubling pattern of behavior that escalates tensions and undermines the rule of law in the [WPS],” Romualdez said. 

“It is incumbent upon us, as a nation, to stand firm in defending our rights and protecting our maritime domain,” said the Leyte 1st district congressman.  

Romualdez also urged the world community “to take cognizance of these dangerous actions that threaten not only regional stability but also freedom of navigation in these critical waters". 

“The Philippines will not be cowed by intimidation or coercion. Our Coast Guard vessels will continue their vital missions, including delivering supplies to our outposts in the West Philippine Sea, and we will not relent in our pursuit of protecting our national interests,” he further said. 
 

Related Tags

Philippine Coast Guard Martin Romualdez West Philippine Sea China Coast Guard
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