By Alec Go
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is calling on China to respect the Philippines’ rights over the West Philippine Sea following the recent interference of the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel with the maritime patrol of the country’s vessels.
In a statement on Friday, the DFA called the recent move of the CCG as “totally inconsistent with freedom of navigation.”
“The Philippines has the legal right to carry out routine maritime patrols in our territorial waters and EEZ [exclusive economic zone]. The deployment of the BRP Malabrigo and BRP Malapascua in the West Philippine Sea from April 18 to 24 was one such mission,” the DFA said.
It also noted some documented incidents of the CCG that “involved highly dangerous maneuvers that were contrary to standard navigational practices.”
“We again call on China to respect the Philippines’ rights over the West Philippine Sea, as provided by UNCLOS [United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea], and refrain from actions that may cause an untoward incident,” it stated.
Philippine Coast Guard reported Friday that CCG vessels 5201 and 4202 exhibited aggressive tactics towards BRP Malapascua and BRP Malabrigo” within Ayungin Shoal on April 23.
“CCG vessel 5201 was reported to have carried out dangerous maneuvers near BRP Malapascua, maintaining a perilous distance of only 50 yards,” the PCG noted.
“This close proximity posed a significant threat to the safety and security of the Philippine vessel and its crew,” it added.
Chinese vessels sighted
Aside from this, PCG also identified more than 100 alleged Chinese Maritime Militia vessels, a People’s Liberation Army Navy corvette class, and two CCG vessels during its April 18 to 24 patrol mission.
Also sighted in Sabina Shoal were 18 Chinese maritime militia vessels which the PCG said, “did not respond or comply with the order to leave the area immediately,” though it has successfully driven away four other militia vessels in Pag-asa waters.
The PCG said 17 maritime militia groups with an estimated vessel count of over 100 were spotted in Julian Felipe Reef, and none of these “reacted or made any attempts to vacate the area.”
On April 21, an incident occurred between PCG vessels and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy vessel 549 seven nautical miles from Pag-asa.
The PCG said a report has been submitted to the National Task Force West Philippine Sea.
