PH protests China’s illegal actions in WPS

We have the law on our side — DFA

The Philippines filed a diplomatic protest over a brutal incident in Ayungin Shoal between Filipino troops and China Coast Guard (CCG) and maritime militia personnel on June 17, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said Wednesday.

Manalo said the note verbale has already been sent to the Chinese Embassy in Manila.

He likewise confirmed that he has already spoken with Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian regarding the deliberate ramming that cause one Filipino soldier to lose his thumb, but declined to provide details of the conversation.

“We are committed to peace and stability and we will do whatever we can to promote that without sacrificing our sovereign rights,” he said.

“We have the sign of the law on our side, that is why I am optimistic,” Manalo added.

Manalo said the Philippines has remained consistent in its maritime claims in the South China Sea.

“We have championed a consistent position. Maritime claims of the South China Sea cannot go beyond the enclose…No country can claim almost the entirety of the South China Sea as its territory and use such a claim to justify illegal and dangerous actions in waters over which we have sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction,” he said.

“President Marcos has repeatedly underscored the Philippines adherence to an open, inclusive, and rules based international order that is governed by international law and informed by the principles of equity and justice,” he added.

He said the Philippines’ “transparency initiative in the West Philippine Sea” is one of several approaches the government has been implementing.

“It’s a key component that has significantly contributed to the public’s awareness of the situation,” he said.

The National Security Council, for its part, on Wednesday said it thinks China also wants to scale down the tension in the West Philippine Sea.

“We feel in the NSC that China also wants to de-escalate the situation,” NSC spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said.

“There are official, non-official channels with China to find common grounds and solutions to these problems,” he said.

However, Malaya said the Philippines must be realistic in the discussions with China.

“We enter discussions with China with an open-mind. That means, we need to be realistic,” he said.

“We know that there is a possibility of deception. We are not sure about their sincerity but that does not mean we will not talk with them,” Malaya added.

An alliance of 33 major Filipino-Chinese chambers of commerce and civic organizations also called for diplomacy to deescalate the recent disputes in the West Philippine Sea.

“We appeal to the governments of the Philippines and China to consider paths that will safeguard the peace, order, and safety of both countries and its peoples. Instead of strife, let us choose harmony,” the group said.

“Our nations have consistently showcased the manifold benefits of mutual respect. As such, we implore both sides to refrain from actions or declarations that will only fuel the already precarious situation.”

Chinese coast guard personnel wielding knives, sticks and an axe foiled a June 17 Philippine Navy attempt to resupply the Marines stationed on the derelict warship BRP Sierra Madre that sits atop Ayungin Shoal.

It was the latest and most serious incident in a series of escalating confrontations between Chinese and Philippine ships in recent months as Beijing steps up efforts to push its claims to nearly all of the strategically located waterway.

Manila hopes to convene the Philippines-China Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea in early July “specifically to discuss the recent incidents,” Manalo said.

Manila also accused the Chinese coast guard of looting guns and damaging three boats as well as navigational and communication equipment.

Beijing insisted its coast guard behaved in a “professional and restrained” way and blamed Manila for the clash.

In previous confrontations, Chinese forces have used water cannon and military-grade lasers and collided with Filipino resupply vessels and their escorts.

Ayungin Shoal lies about 200 kilometers (120 miles) from the western Philippine island of Palawan and more than 1,000 kilometers from China’s nearest major landmass, Hainan island. With AFP

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