MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines’ treaty-ally, the United States, condemned on Monday, June 17, China’s “aggressive, dangerous maneuvers” during a Philippine resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.
In a statement, US Ambassador to Manila MaryKay Carlson said Chinese actions “caused bodily injury, damaged Philippine vessels, and hindered lawful maritime operations to supply food, water, and essential supplies” for Filipino soldiers stated at the rusting warship, which has served as a military outpost in those waters since 1999.
In the early hours of Monday, the China Coast Guard claimed that a collision occurred between Philippine and Chinese vessels in waters close to Ayungin or Second Thomas Shoal.
Late Monday, more than 12 hours later, the Philippines, through its National Security Council, confirmed that a rotation and resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre was “disrupted by the illegal and aggressive actions of Chinese maritime forces.”
The Philippines said China’s Navy, coast guard, and maritime militia “engaged in dangerous maneuvers, including ramming and towing.”
“Their actions put at risk the lives of our personnel and damaged our boats, in blatant violation of international law, particularly the United Nations Charter, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award,” added the Philippines.
Luc Véron, the European’s ambassador to Manila, said the bloc “expressed deep concern” over the incident.
“The EU opposes coercion and intimidation in the South China Sea, or anywhere. We support international law and peaceful dispute resolution,” he said.
The EU 🇪🇺 expresses deep concern about the dangerous actions of the PRC near Second Thomas Shoal. These actions have caused harm, damaged Philippine vessels, and disrupted lawful maritime operations in the 🇵🇭 exclusive economic zone. The EU opposes coercion and intimidation in… https://t.co/1Dj9pSSNVA
— Ambassador Luc Véron 🇪🇺 (@EUAmbPH) June 17, 2024
The shoal is located some 100 nautical miles away from mainland Palawan and is well within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. But China claims almost all of the South China Sea as its own and has refused to acknowledge the 2016 Arbitral Award.
In a Tuesday, June 18 post on X, Canadian ambassador to Manila David Hartman said Ottawa “condemns” China’s actions. “These dangerous and destabilizing actions caused injuries and put at risk stability, security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region,” he said.
“China’s actions are inconsistent with its obligations under international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. We call on China to implement the 2016 arbitral ruling, which is final and binding on the parties,” he added.
Dutch Ambassador to Manila Marielle Geraedts said “irresponsible maneuvers that endanger the safety of ships and crews call into question the freedom of sea routes guaranteed under international law.”
“[The Netherlands] considers it of utmost importance that the 2016 Arbitral Award is fully respected and implemented,” she said.
Respect law
Finland’s Ambassador to Manila Juha Pyykkö, in a post on X, said: “For Finland, I express my concern about these dangerous maneuvers and reiterate my call for respect for international law.”
French Ambassador Marie Fontanel expressed “serious concern” over the incident. “[France] reiterates call for respect of the UNCLOS and freedom of navigation. We oppose any threat or use of force contrary to international law and recall the importance of resolving disputes through dialogue,” she said.
Fontanel earlier announced that France was eyed deeper defense cooperation with the Philippines, including the possible signing of a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement.
Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya, also on X, reiterated his country’s “grave concern over the repeated dangerous and aggressive actions” by China.
“We stand with the [Philippines] and cooperate with like-minded countries in maintaining & enhancing the free & open international order based on the rule of law,” he added.
The Philippines and Japan are about to conclude negotiations for a Reciprocal Access Agreement, or a visiting forces agreement-like deal.
Philippine officials have yet to confirm if Filipinos were injured as a result of the June 17 incident.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had earlier said that the death of a Filipino, including in the West Philippine Sea, would be his “red line” in invoking the Mutual Defense Treaty with the United States. – Rappler.com