By Clarist Zablan
(October 23, 2023) – The Philippines on Monday summoned China’s ambassador to Manila after two boat collisions happened in the disputed West Philippine Sea.
Manila and Beijing were blaming each other for the collisions as both sides insisted they are on right side, accusing each other of causing trouble near Ayungin Shoal.
Ambassador Tess Daza, spokeswoman for the Department of Foreign Affairs, said Huang Xilian was asked to report to the foreign ministry to explain China’s actions which endangered lives of Filipino civilians about to delver supplies to BRP Sierra Madre.
However, the ambassador was out of town and sent another embassy official, Deputy chief of mission, Zhou Zhiyong.
“As we did in the past, we intend to clearly convey our position that we have every right, under UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) to carry out legitimate activities in our maritime zones; and that we do not accept any form of interference,” Daza said in a statement.Daza.
Daza said the Philippines also filed diplomatic protest after a civilian boat was damaged after a Chinese Coast Guard ship collided with the wooden boat.
A Chinese militia vessel also collided with a Philippine Coast Guard vessel escorting the wooden boat.
This was the first time a Coast Guard vessel and a military-commissioned wooden boat had collision incidents in the West Philippine Sea.
China has been escalating its actions around Ayungin Shoal, Scarborough Shoal and other Philippine-occupied features in the South China Sea.
In Malacanang, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. summoned his senior security officials for a command conference.
“The incident, brought about by dangerous, illegal, and reckless maneuvers by vessels of the China Coast Guard, caused damage to a Philippine vessel within our exclusive economic zone and is being taken seriously at the highest level of government,” the press office said in a statement.
Sa isang press conference, idinetalye ni Defense #DND Sec. #GiboTeodoro ang nangyaring banggaan ng mga barko ng China at Pilipinas sa #WestPhilippineSea #WPS, umaga ng Oct. 22. pic.twitter.com/Pr3ZzJZegA
— News5 (@News5PH) October 23, 2023
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. called the Chinese action a “blatant violation of international law.”
“This is a serious escalation of the illegal activities conducted by the Chinese government in the West Philippine Sea and in complete disregard of any norm or convention of international law,” he said in a separate statement.
Western states, like the United States, the European Union and Australia had expressed serious concerns about the China’s coercive actions, condemning Beijing’s activities in the South China Sea.
Separately, the Philippines accused China of hijacking the narrative of the collision, blaming them for escalating tensions in the disputed waters.
In a press conference, Jonathan Malaya, spokesman for the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) turned the tables back to China after Beijing claimed the indigenous boat deliberately crossed its Coast Guard ship.
“It is not the Philippines that is increasing tensions,” Malaya said.
“It is China that is increasing in the West Philippine Sea especially by interfering and blocking our legitimate resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal.”
He said the collisions were caused by China’s “dangerous and illegal maneuvers” which interfered with the “legal and legitimate” Philippine operation to bring supplies to troops at BRP Sierra Madre.
“China has no legal authority or basis to enforce anything in those waters and in the entire West Philippine Sea,” said Malaya.
“They also claim that there should be prior notification by the Philippines on any resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal. Again, we ask: Why should we do so? Ayungin Shoal is not Hainan Island.”
The Chinese urged the Philippine government to “stop making dangerous moves, stop groundlessly attacking and slandering China.”
They also reiterated their call to remove BRP Sierra Madre “as soon as possible so that the peace and stability of the South China Sea will not be jeopardized and the common interests of countries in the region will not be affected.”
For his part, military spokesman Colonel Medel Aguilar said China’s actions were “illegal and irresponsible.”
“It is irresponsible because they acted recklessly knowing very well the high probability of collision which will put the lives of people in danger,” said Aguilar.
“Let our people know and the rest of the world that this incident will not deter us from doing what is right, what is for the benefit of our people and what will support and strengthened the rules-based international order. No, unlawful force would soften our firm resolve.”
Aguilar did not confirm the supply boat was bringing construction materials to BRP Sierra Madre.
“Please be informed that BRP Sierra Madre is our vessel and it is within our rights to repair it to make sure that it is habitable for our troops manning (the vessel) and to at least have a good night sleep,” said Aguilar.
The Coast Guard said there were five Chinese Coast Guard vessels and eight Chinese maritime militia vessels blocking the Philippine boats part during the resupply mission.
Only one of the military-chartered boats, Unaiza Mae 1, reached BRP Sierra Madre. The other boat, Unaiza Mae 2, went away after the collision.
“Right now, Unaiza Mae is still on its way to the port so we haven’t really conducted thorough evaluation of its sea worthiness,” said Jay Tarriela, the Coast Guard spokesman said.
On the other hand, Tarriera said the Coast Guard vessel, BRP Cabra, had minor damage, describing it as “we can say as scratch on the paint.”
Tarriela said the BRP Cabra issued 64 radio challenges to China Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels during the resupply mission.
On the other hand, it said BRP Cabra received 14 radio challenges from the China Coast Guard.
BRP Sindangan received 70 radio challenges from the China Coast Guard. It made 15 challenges to China Coast Guard vessels.
(MM)
