US, Japan slam China's latest WPS attack: 'Unlawful, unacceptable'

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 26, 2024): US, Japan slam China's latest WPS attack: 'Unlawful, unacceptable' (By Marita Moaje)

AGGRESSIVE. China Coast Guard (CCG) ships rammed, blasted horns, and deployed water cannons against the BRP Datu Sanday of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on Sunday (Aug. 25, 2024). The United States and Japan slammed China's latest provocations in the West Philippine Sea. (Photo screengrab from PCG Spokespoerson Jay Tarriela X post)

MANILA – The United States and Japan called out China's latest aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) as "unlawful" and "unacceptable".

In a post on X (Twitter) on Sunday, US Ambassador MaryKay L. Carlson reiterated Washington DC's support for the Philippines with the hashtag #FriendsPartnersAllies.

“Unsafe, unlawful, and aggressive conduct by the PRC disrupted a legal Philippine mission, endangering lives — the latest in multiple dangerous actions by the PRC (People's Republic of China),” the post read.

Meanwhile, Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya also posted on X that Tokyo opposes any action that increases tension in WPS and endangers people's lives.

“Another unacceptable development around Sabina Shoal. Any harassment and actions which increase tensions or obstruct freedom of navigation are not tolerated. Upholding a rules-based international order and adhering to commitments must prevail,” he said.

On Sunday, National Task Force for the WPS (NTF-WPS) spokesperson and National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said Manila remains steadfast in asserting its rights in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award.

This came after the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel, BRP Datu Sanday (MMOV 3002), encountered aggressive and dangerous maneuvers from eight Chinese maritime vessels while operating from Hasa-Hasa Shoal to Escoda Shoal.

The actions of China's vessels aimed to block the BFAR vessel's humanitarian mission to resupply Filipino fishermen with diesel, food, and medical supplies.

The BRP Datu Sanday was targeted by the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ship 626 and multiple China Coast Guard (CCG) ships and attempted to encircle and block the humanitarian mission.

Hasa-Hasa (Half-Moon) Shoal is approximately 60 nautical miles from Rizal, Palawan, while Escoda (Sabina) Shoal is about 110 nautical miles away.

Both islands, the NTF-WPS said, are well within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

It added that these unprofessional, aggressive, and illegal actions posed serious risks to the safety of the Filipino crew and the fishermen they were meant to serve.

However, in the face of said provocative maneuvers, the crew aboard the BFAR vessel maintains high morale and remains safe and unharmed.

The task force also dismissed claims that Filipinos fell overboard and were subsequently rescued by the CCG after the ramming incident.

It added this "fake news and misinformation" is a clear illustration of China's "willingness to distort the truth and engage in disinformation to bolster its public image".

On Aug. 22, Chinese military aircraft also launched flares from their militarized reclaimed island in Zamora Reef, during a Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) Flight conducted by the BFAR.

The NTF-WPS noted that the Zamora Reef is within the territorial sea of Pag-asa Island.

In coordination with the PCG, the BFAR aircraft, Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, was tasked with monitoring and intercepting poachers encroaching upon the Philippines’ EEZ and the territorial seas of the maritime features constituting the Kalayaan Island Group.

This same BFAR aircraft also faced harassment from the China People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) Fighter Jet 63270 on Aug. 19 during an MDA flight near Bajo de Masinloc, which deployed flares multiple times at a dangerously close distance of approximately 15 meters from the BFAR Grand Caravan aircraft, jeopardizing the safety of the personnel onboard the BFAR aircraft.

Inhumane action

Senators condemned the CCG’s “inhumane” action in the WPS, calling upon the government of China “to immediately cease and desist” from inflammatory actions that test the limit of the Philippines’ 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,” Senator Nancy Binay said in a statement.

Binay said the CCG's unwarranted acts are not only a violation of international law but also a blatant disregard of the kindness and patience that the Philippine government has consistently shown in addressing maritime disputes in a peaceful manner.

“We will continue to stand firm in our commitment to securing our territorial rights and safeguarding the welfare of our people,” Binay said.

“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 added.

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri said the perennial action of the CCG only shows their arrogance and total disrespect to a sovereign country and disregard of international maritime laws, noting that they no longer attacked Navy or Coast Guard but a BFAR ship on a humanitarian mission.

Zubiri said CCG’s action is treacherous and reneged on China’s word to refrain from attacks.

“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,” Zubiri said.

“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 added.

Zubiri thanked the BFAR for courageously standing its ground against China’s attacks. (Leonel Abasola/PNA)

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1231933