Philippines hits China’s use of water cannons against Filipino vessel heading to Ayungin Shoal (

From Rappler (Aug 6, 2023): Philippines hits China’s use of water cannons against Filipino vessel heading to Ayungin Shoal (By BONZ MAGSAMBOL)

(1st UPDATE) The Armed Forces of the Philippines says the incident was in 'wanton disregard of the safety of the people on board and in violation of international law'

MANILA, Philippines – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Sunday, August 6, said it “strongly condemns” the “excessive and offensive” actions by the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) against a Philippine vessel headed to Ayungin Shoal during a recent resupply mission.

“We call on the China Coast Guard and the Central Military Commission to act with prudence and be responsible in their actions to prevent miscalculations and accidents that will endanger peoples’ lives,” the AFP said in a statement.

The AFP said one of its chartered supply boats was blocked and water cannoned by a CCG vessel on Saturday, August 5, on its way to Ayungin Shoal for a routine troop rotation and resupply mission, making it unable to unload the supplies. It could not complete its mission.

The boat was carrying food, water, fuel and other supplies to Philippine military troops stationed on BRP Sierra Madre.

The AFP said the incident was a “disregard of the safety of the people on board and in violation of international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award.”

In a separate statement, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) also condemned the recent harassment by the Chinese vessel. They called on the CCG to “restrain its forces, respect the sovereign rights of the Philippines in its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, refrain from hampering freedom of navigation, and take appropriate actions against the individuals involved in this unlawful incident.”

The PCG also echoed the call of the AFP for the CCG to respect its responsibility to observe state obligations under UNCLOS to cease all illegal activities within the maritime zones of the Philippines.

This was not the first time that the CCG “harassed” and blocked Filipino vessels. In July, PCG boats were “constantly followed, harassed, and obstructed by the significantly larger Chinese coast guard vessels” during a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal.
Invoke US mutual defense treaty?

In a statement on Sunday, the United States expressed its support for the Philippines, saying that China’s ships “interfered with the Philippines’ lawful exercise of high seas freedom of navigation and jeopardized the safety of the Philippine vessels and crew.”

“Such actions by the PRC (People’s Republic of China) are inconsistent with international law and are the latest in repeated threats to the status quo in the South China Sea, directly threatening regional peace and stability,” the US said.

“The United States reaffirms an armed attack on Philippine public vessels, aircraft, and armed forces –including those of its Coast Guard in the South China Sea – would invoke US mutual defense commitments under Article IV of the 1951 US. Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty,” it added.

But for Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel, the treaty should not be invoked.

“Use diplomacy and ‘intelligent tactics.’ The MDT should not be invoked lightly. Use our Kokote not the MDT,” he told reporters on Sunday.

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The incident comes as the Senate passed a resolution “strongly condemning” China’s moves in the West Philippine Sea, as it urged the Philippine government to take actions, including bringing the issue before the United Nations, in case the harassment continues.
Trespassing?

In a statement, China’s coast guard countered it had implemented necessary controls in accordance with the law to deter Philippine ships, which it accused of trespassing and carrying illegal building materials.

CCG spokesman Gan Yu responded said that China has “indisputable” sovereignty over the Spratly Islands and their adjacent waters, including the Second Thomas Shoal or Ayungin Shoal.

“We urge the Philippine side to immediately stop its infringing activities in this waters,” Gan posted on the coast guard’s WeChat social media account.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/philippines-condemns-china-illegal-use-water-cannons-against-filipino-vessel/

Nations call out China over ‘dangerous, provocative’ acts in West PH sea

From Rappler (Aug 6, 2023): Nations call out China over ‘dangerous, provocative’ acts in West PH sea (By JODESZ GAVILAN)

The US says China's use of water cannons to disrupt operations of Philippine vessels are inconsistent with international law

MANILA, Philippines – The United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, and the European Union on Sunday, August 6, expressed support to the Philippines as one of its vessels was subjected to yet another aggression by the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) during a routine resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal.

The US State Department said that China’s ships “interfered with the Philippines’ lawful exercise of high seas freedom of navigation and jeopardized the safety of the Philippine vessels and crew.”

“Such actions by the PRC (People’s Republic of China) are inconsistent with international law and are the latest in repeated threats to the status quo in the South China Sea, directly threatening regional peace and stability,” the US said.

This statement comes after a chartered supply boat of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) was unable to complete its routine troop rotation and supply drop on Saturday, August 6, after it was blocked and water cannoned by a CCG vessel.

The Philippine Coast Guard says it is collecting evidence and more information about the incident and 'if deemed necessary, the DFA may use the said report in filing an appropriate diplomatic action'

The US added that an attack on the country’s public vessels, aircraft, and armed forces “would invoke the US mutual defense commitments under Article IV of the 1951 US Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty.”

 
‘Dangerous and provocative’

Canada said that it “unreservedly condemns the dangerous and provocative” actions of the CCG. The country also reiterated its support for international law as “continued acts of intimidation and coercion by [China] against its neighbors undermine safety, security, and stability across the region, and raise the risks of grave miscalculations.”

“Unsafe maneuvers and use of water cannons to disrupt the lawful operations of Philippine vessels is unacceptable, and inconsistent with the obligations of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) under international law,” the Embassy of Canada in the Philippines said in a statement.

“Only by ensuring full respect for international law can we collectively set conditions for effective and collaborative management of maritime resources, maintenance of maritime safety and security, preservation of marine biodiversity, and respect for maritime boundaries, while ensuring the rights of all states under international law are protected,” it added.

Australia, Japan, and the European Union (EU) also issued separate statements supporting the Philippines and calling on the respect of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the historic 2016 arbitral ruling against China.

“Australia is concerned by the latest actions directed against the Philippines, which are dangerous and destabilizing,” Australian Ambassador Hae Kyong Yu said on Twitter. “We reiterate our call for peace, stability, and respect for UNCLOS in the South China Sea – a vital international waterway.”

Japanese Ambassador Kazuhiko Koshikawa said they “strongly support” the Philippines’ position, highlighting that it is “totally unacceptable any harassment and actions which infringe on lawful activities of the sea and endanger the navigational safety.”

EU Ambassador to the Philippines Luc Véron said they are “very concerned about dangerous action” by China.

“EU stands with the Philippines in upholding the rules-based international order,” he said on Twitter. “The EU supports the legally binding nature of the 2016 South China Sea arbitration.”

Not the first time

This was not the first time that the CCG “harassed” and blocked Filipino vessels. In July, PCG boats were “constantly followed, harassed, and obstructed by the significantly larger Chinese coast guard vessels” during a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal.

After the latest incident, the AFP urged its Central Military Commission to “act with prudence and be responsible in their actions to prevent miscalculations and accidents that will endanger people’s lives.” But CCG spokesperson Gan Yu said that the coast guard just implemented necessary controls, urging the Philippine side to “immediately stop its infringing activities in the waters.”

https://www.rappler.com/nation/statements-united-states-canada-countries-china-illegal-use-water-cannons-against-filipino-vessel/

8 former rebels get govt financial assistance

From the Visayan Daily Star (Aug 5, 2023): 8 former rebels get govt financial assistance (By GILBERT P. BAYORAN)

Eight former New People’s Army rebels who surrendered to the 94th Infantry Battalion and Philippine National Police, received P80,000 financial assistance on August 3 from the Himamaylan City government, through its City Social Welfare and Development Office.

Each former rebel got P10,000 financial assistance each, as well as food packs and personal kits, according to the 94IB, in a statement.

Himamaylan City Mayor Rogelio Raymund Tongson Jr. was represented Executive Assistant Emmanuel Castro III in the distribution of cash assistance, assisted by Brig. Gen. Orlando Edralin, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander; Lt. Colonel Van Donald Almonte, 94IB commander, Narciso Abad III, who is the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program Focal Person, P/Master Sergeant Eduardo Libacao, and CSWDO Ever Grace Castro, among others.

Almonte said the financial aid will assist them in starting a new and productive life, far from what they experienced while under the deceptive claws of the CPP-NPA.

Tongson, in his message read by Castro, told the former rebels “You all now serve as a living testament to the government’s sincerity to its mission.”

Edralin lauded the Himamaylan City government, through the City Task Force ELCAC, for helping former rebels in their return to mainstream society.*

https://visayandailystar.com/8-former-rebels-get-govt-financial-assistance/

AFP, PCG condemn China Coast Guard’s ‘unlawful actions’ in WPS

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 6, 2023): AFP, PCG condemn China Coast Guard’s ‘unlawful actions’ in WPS (By Priam Nepomuceno)

(Courtesy of Philippine Coast Guard)

MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Sunday expressed grave concern over China Coast Guard’s (CCG) “excessive and unlawful actions” when it used water cannon against Filipino resupply vessels near Ayungin Shoal on Saturday.

"One of our chartered supply boats was blocked and water cannoned by a CCG vessel yesterday (Saturday), August 5, while en route to Ayungin Shoal for a routine troop rotation and resupply mission (RORE)," Col. Medel Aguilar, spokesperson of the AFP, said in a statement.

Aguilar was referring to the incident when CCG water cannoned Philippine vessels escorting boats delivering supplies to AFP personnel stationed on BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.

Aguilar said the CCG vessel took an unlawful action without thinking of the safety of those aboard.

The move, he said, was “in wanton disregard of the safety of the people on board and in violation of international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award.”

The Philippine Coast Guard also condemned the CCG’s “dangerous” actions.

“The Philippine Coast Guard strongly condemns the CCG’s dangerous maneuvers and illegal use of water cannons against the PCG vessels escorting the indigenous boats chartered by the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said in a separate statement.

The PCG urged CCG to “restrain its forces, respect the sovereign rights of the Philippines in its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, refrain from hampering freedom of navigation, and take appropriate actions against those involved in the incident.”

"We ask that China Coast Guard, as an organization with a responsibility to observe state obligations under UNCLOS, COLREGs (Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea), and other relevant instruments of international maritime safety and security, to cease all illegal activities within the maritime zones of the Philippines," Tarriela said.

Following the attack, the second supply was unable to complete its mission.

"Because of the CCG’s dangerous maneuvers, the second supply boat was not able to unload the supplies and could not complete the RORE mission," Aguilar added.

He urged the CCG and the Central Military Commission, China’s highest national defense organization, "to act with prudence and be responsible in their actions to prevent miscalculations and accidents that will endanger people's lives.”

Other countries against CCG action, too

Meanwhile, the United States said it stands "with our Philippine allies in the face of dangerous actions by the Coast Guard and maritime militia of the People’s Republic of China (PRC)."

"Firing water cannons and employing unsafe blocking maneuvers, PRC ships interfered with the Philippines’ lawful exercise of high seas freedom of navigation and jeopardized the safety of the Philippine vessels and crew. Such actions by the PRC are inconsistent with international law and are the latest in repeated threats to the status quo in the South China Sea, directly threatening regional peace and stability. By impeding necessary provisions from reaching the Filipino servicemembers stationed at Second Thomas Shoal, the PRC has also undertaken unwarranted interference in lawful Philippine mari0time operations," read a statement posted by the US Department of State's Office of the Spokesperson on Saturday.

"Australia is concerned by the latest actions directed against the Philippines, which are dangerous and destabilising. We reiterate our call for peace, stability, and respect for UNCLOS in the South China Sea - a vital international waterway," tweeted Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Hae Kyong Yu on Sunday.

"Totally unacceptable any harassment & actions which infringe on lawful activities of the sea and endanger the navigational safety. We strongly support PH’s position; upholding maritime order based on UNCLOS & 2016 Arbitral Award," read another tweet by the Ambassador of Japan in the Philippines account, also on Sunday.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1207218