The Philippine government has condemned the actions of the Chinese coast guard following an incident where a research vessel was allegedly targeted by a water cannon near Sandy Cay in the South China Sea.
Incident Overview
- The incident occurred on Wednesday while a Filipino scientific team was collecting sand samples from Sandy Cay, one of three sandbars in the area.
- Reports indicate that a larger Chinese coast guard ship "water cannoned and sideswiped" one of the Filipino vessels twice.
- Damage included harm to the port bow and smokestack of the vessel, putting civilian personnel on board at risk.
China’s Claims
- China claimed that two Philippine fishing boats entered waters without permission and landed personnel on Sandy Cay despite warnings.
- Chinese officials accused these boats of coming close to their ship while it conducted law enforcement operations.
Philippine Response
- Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo stated, "We condemn this act because it is an attack against our people who are only doing their duty."
- He urged all parties to exercise restraint and respect international law in resolving territorial disputes.
Historical Context
- China claims sovereignty over virtually all of the South China Sea based on historical records.
- Many countries dispute these claims, arguing that rights should not be based solely on past usage.
- In 2016, an international tribunal ruled that there is no basis for any country’s claim under customary international law or UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea) for historic title or rights prior to 1982.
Ongoing Diplomatic Efforts
- Manalo noted that Manila has lodged diplomatic protests with Beijing over similar incidents in recent months.
- He emphasized the need for vigilance and preparedness in light of these ongoing tensions.
- He assured Filipinos abroad, especially those working overseas, that they would be protected under existing laws, including Republic Act No. 10801, which provides for the protection and welfare of overseas Filipino workers.
Conclusion
- The Philippine government will continue to work closely with international partners and advocate at multilateral forums such as ASEAN, APEC, and the UN General Assembly to address these issues.
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