By Gabriela Baron
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday, Aug. 8, said it summoned Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian over the incident in Ayungin Shoal.
China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels on Aug. 5 blocked and used water cannons against Philippine supply boats on a resupply mission to the Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.
In a statement, the DFA said it is “making full use of [its] diplomatic processes.”
“The rotation and resupply mission to and the upkeep of the BRP Sierra Madre are legitimate Philippine Government activities in our country’s exclusive economic zone, which are all in accordance with international law, particularly UNCLOS,” DFA said.
“As a low tide elevation, Ayungin Shoal can neither be the subject of a sovereignty claim nor is it capable of appropriation under international law – a fact affirmed by the 2016 Arbitral Award. China cannot, therefore, lawfully exercise sovereignty over it,” it stressed.
On July 12, 2016, the arbitral tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippines, stating that China’s claim over the West Philippine Sea was groundless.
The DFA maintained that China’s aggressive use of water cannons against the Philippines vessels is a violation of international law.
READ MORE: China Coast Guard uses water cannons vs PH vessels, does dangerous maneuver anew
Chinese Embassy hopes PH-China will ‘meet halfway’
The Chinese Embassy in Manila, in a separate statement, confirmed that Huang met with DFA Undersecretary Maria Theresa Lazaro to discuss the latest incident.
The Embassy said the “Chinese envoy reiterated China’s stand in the region and claimed they repeatedly expressed their concerns to the Philippines through multiple channels.”
“Ambassador Huang emphasized that at the beginning of the year, the two heads of state reached an important consensus on properly handling differences through dialogue and consultation,” the Embassy said.
“It is hoped that the Philippines and China will meet each other halfway, earnestly implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, stop all unilateral actions, and prevent the situation from escalating or even getting out of control,” it added. – cf
