Senators have urged the government to exhaust all legal means, including a possible international arbitration, to hold China accountable for its repeated and dangerous maneuvers against Philippine vessels.
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada and Sen. Loren Legarda pointed to the recent actions of the Chinese Coast Guard against the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel BRP Datu Sanday (MMOV 3302) while operating from Hasa-Hasa Shoal to Escoda Shoal.
Estrada insisted that these “unprofessional, illegal and provocative actions” by Chinese vessels “necessitate a firm response” to protect Philippine sovereign rights in its own maritime territory.
This would also help ensure the safety of Philippine troops and any maritime operations within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), the senator stressed.
“I urge all concerned government agencies to explore all legal avenues, including the possibility of having an international arbitration to step in to hold China accountable for its repeated and dangerous maneuvers against our vessels,” Estrada said in a statement.
“By doing so, we can uphold the rule of law and reinforce our commitment to a rules-based international order,” he said.
“Paulit-ulit na nalalagay sa panganib ang kaligtasan at buhay ng ating mga kababayan. Sobra na. Nanadya na talaga sila para gumamit tayo ng dahas. Wala tayong nilalabag na anumang international laws dahil sakop ng EEZ ang mga isinasagawang maritime activities ng ating maritime personnel. Wala akong nakikitang dahilan para pagmalupitan ang ating mga kababayan (The safety and lives of our countrymen are repeatedly put in danger. It's too much. They do it deliberately to force us to use violence. We are not violating any international laws because the maritime activities carried out by our maritime personnel are covered by the EEZ. I see no reason to mistreat our countrymen),” the lawmaker pointed out.
Legarda also strongly condemned the latest incident and pointed out that the Hasa-Hasa (Half-Moon) Shoal and Escoda (Sabina) Shoal are both legally and rightfully within the Philippines' 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
“The resupply mission of BRP Datu Sanday is entirely legitimate and well within our jurisdiction and sovereign rights,” Legarda insisted.
“The ramming, blasting of horns, and use of water cannons on our vessels are not only illegal but inhumane and cruel to safety of those at sea,” she said.
Legarda further said she support’s the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea's (NTF-WPS) call on the government of the People’s Republic of China to immediately cease all provocative and dangerous actions that threaten the safety of Philippine vessels.
“These actions undercut regional peace and security,” she reiterated.
Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy Binay also said condemned the CCG's actions and urged the government of China to immediately "cease and desist from all inflammatory actions that test the limits of our nation's goodwill."
"These inhumane and unjustifiable actions taken by the Chinese Coast Guard against BRP Datu Sanday on a lawful resupply mission on August 25 are clear acts of aggression that endanger the lives of our brave servicemen," Binay said in a separate statement.
"The CCG's unwarranted acts are not only a violation of international law but also a blatant disregard for the kindness and patience that the Philippine government has consistently shown in addressing maritime disputes in a peaceful manner," she said.
Binay also said the Philippine government will continue to stand firm in its commitment to securing its own territorial rights and safeguarding the welfare of the Filipino people.
"The Philippines, as a peace-loving nation, will continue to pursue diplomatic avenues to resolve these disputes, but let it be clear: Our resolve to defend our sovereignty and our people is unshakeable," she said.
Sen. Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri also criticized the recent attack of Chinese vessels on the BFAR vessel, saying it proved to be a "blatant disrespect of the earlier understanding of de-escalation" between China and Philippines.
"It (China) has once again reneged on its word and on its honor to refrain from performing attacks such as what happened yesterday to the Datu Sanday vessel of the BFAR. It is treachery, plain and simple," Zubiri lamented.
Zubiri said the latest actions of the CCG "is in total disregard of international maritime laws."
"You can’t even trust them to show simple decency. We condemn this latest act of aggression displayed by China and protest their actions on Philippine territory. We ask the national government to continue fighting for our sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea and uphold our territorial integrity and our right to our exclusive economic zone," he stressed.
"We also thank and salute the personnel of the BFAR for courageously standing their ground against China’s attacks. We are with you in the good fight to secure our waters and protect our fisherfolk in the West Philippine Sea," the former Senate chief said.
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