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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Año, Sullivan raise 'grave concerns' on China's aerial, maritime actions in WPS

Año, Sullivan raise 'grave concerns' on China's aerial, maritime actions in WPS

Published Aug 21, 2024 07:09 am
Eduardo ano Jake sullivan.jpg
National Security Adviser Eduardo Año and US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan (Photo: NSC / Sullivan via X)

National Security Adviser Eduardo Año and his American counterpart, United States National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, were alarmed by the recent aggressive actions of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Año and Sullivan spoke by the phone on Tuesday, Aug. 20, to discuss the dangerous maneuvers conducted by Chinese air force and the China Coast Guard (CCG).

“The two NSAs exchanged information on the current maritime security situation in the region and particularly raised grave concerns on the recent illegal, aggressive, and dangerous actions of China's People's Liberation Army - Air Force (PLAAF) against a Philippine Air Force (PAF) aircraft conducting a routine maritime security operation over Bajo de Masinloc; and Chinese Coast Guard vessels against Philippine Coast Guard ships while en route to Patag Island and Lawak Island in the West Philippine Sea,” the National Security Council (NSC) said on Wednesday, Aug. 21.

During their discussion, Año underscored the Philippines' “unassailable rights” in the WPS based on international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (NCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award.

Last Aug. 8, two Chinese multirole fighters conducted dangerous maneuvers and dropped flares on the path of a PAF aircraft during a routine patrol over Bajo de Masinloc. This was followed by the collision and eventual ramming of PCG ships by CCG vessels in Escoda (Sabina) Shoal on Aug. 19.

In response to China’s actions, Año and Sullivan said they were looking forward to the implementation of “strategic priorities” by the two countries to accelerate the Philippines’ capability development, and to continuously modernize their alliance.

Last July 30, Washington announced that it will provide Manila with $500 million in foreign military financing to help improve the capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and PCG, two government agencies that are at the forefront of the country’s fight in the WPS.

Año thanked the US government for its “unremitting support and iron clad commitment” to the two countries’ alliance.

Meanwhile, Sullivan lauded the maritime exercise conducted by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) with the Vietnamese Coast Guard earlier this month as this proved Manila’s efforts to expand the conduct of maritime cooperative activities with “like-minded countries”.

Related Tags

Jake Sullivan WPS West Philippine Sea (WPS) Eduardo Año PH-China PH-US
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