Read this in The Manila Times digital edition.
THE United States, Canada and European Union condemned the latest dangerous action Sunday of the China Coast Guard (CCG) against Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that China’s latest “disruption of a legal Philippine resupply mission” to Ayungin Shoal put the lives of Filipino service members “at risk.”
“We stand with our friends, partners, allies in protecting Philippine sovereignty and in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Carlson said.
The Embassy of Canada in the Philippines also turned to X to condemn the “unlawful and dangerous conduct” of China’s coast guard and maritime militia vessels.
The embassy said the CCG’s action “provoked two collisions with Philippine vessels engaged in routine operations inside the Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ), in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal.”
“The PRC’s actions are unjustified. China has no lawful claim to the West Philippine Sea. Its actions are incompatible with the obligations of a signatory to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos),” the embassy said.
Luc Veron, the European ambassador to Manila, also wrote on X, “These incidents, their repetition and intensification are dangerous and very disturbing.”
“We join the Philippines in its call for the full observance of international law in the South China Sea,” Veron said.
“Continuing acts of intimidation and coercion undermine safety, stability, and security across the region and increase the risk of miscalculation,” the Canadian embassy said.
The embassy welcomed news that “no injuries resulted from these collisions and commends the professionalism and restraint exercised” by the Philippine Coast Guard.
“Canada affirms its support for a rules-based order in the South China Sea consistent with international law, including Unclos and the 2016 Arbitral decision, which is final and binding on the parties,” the embassy added.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 invalidated China’s nine-dash line policy in the South China Sea, which encroached on the Philippines’ EEZ.
Germany and the Netherlands also expressed support to the Philippines and urged observance of the Unclos.
“Germany is very concerned about recent confrontations in the South China Sea involving Chinese coast guard ships and maritime militia vessels in the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines,” German Ambassador Andreas Pfaffernoschke said in a statement.
“Germany calls on all parties to act in accordance with Unclos-rules and to respect the 2016 arbitral award,” he added.
Netherlands Ambassador to the Philippines Marielle Geraedts said she is glad nobody got hurt in the incident.
“Another worrying incident. Glad nobody got hurt. The Netherlands stands with the Philippines in its call for the full observance of International Law in the South China Sea,” she said.
WITH PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY
