By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
As if a video from state media depicting Filipinos as ‘monkeys’ was not enough, China continues with its provocative actions in the West Philippine Sea that continue to put the lives of military personnel and the situation in the disputed region at risk.
This, as the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) recorded footage at Ayungin Shoal showing the unlawful approach of eight China Coast Guard (CCG) personnel taking photos and videos aboard a rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) near BRP Sierra Madre on Monday.
In response, two AFP rubber boats were dispatched from the ship—which doubles as a military outpost—to drive away the encroaching vessel.
However, the CCG retaliated “violently and aggressively by striking a Philippine Navy personnel on the head with a wooden baton,” which caused an injury and significant damage to the Navy boat.
This latest incident elicited critical responses from the AFP and the Department of National Defense (DND), who lamented the violence committed by CCG that shows a clear pattern of hostility toward Filipinos.
The DND Statement said, “The latest act of violence and harassment committed by the China Coast Guard against Philippine Navy personnel stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal adds to a clear pattern of provocative and hostile behavior, and further contributes to the People’s Republic of China’s deficit of trust and credibility.”
Whilst the AFP Statement said, “The AFP remains steadfast in protecting the country’s sovereign rights and jurisdiction. Our lawful presence and sustainment operations in Ayungin Shoal will continue. No act of coercion or aggression will deter us from carrying out our constitutional mandate or exercising the Philippines’ lawful rights in the West Philippine Sea.”
The documented occurrence of violence in the West Philippine Sea goes against the 2016 Arbitral Award that dismisses China’s nine-dash line claim that encroaches on several islands and features within the South China Sea, which includes those that fall under the sovereignty and territorial jurisdiction of the Philippines.
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