FILE PHOTO: The BRP Sierra Madre was deliberately ran aground by the Navy on Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in 1999 to mark it as Philippine territory. Philippine Daily Inquirer/Grig C. Montegrande
MANILA, Philippines — China Coast Guard’s (CCG) water cannon aggression on Philippine Coast Guard vessels in the West Philippine Sea last August 5 was “brazen, unnecessary, and uncalled for.”
House committee on national defense and security chair Raul Tupas (Iloilo, 5th District) said this on Tuesday, asserting that the incident took place within Philippine territory.
“The act of blasting a water cannon at the Philippine Coast Guard is a brazen attack on our white ship patrolling our own waters by the China Coast Guard sailing far from its territorial water,” Tupas said.
The congressman said the CCG could have held back in that situation, as its action may lead to heightened tensions in the disputed waters.
“Restraint in dealing with maritime disputes must be observed by the China Coast Guard rather than resorting to means that are unnecessary, uncalled for, and may result in escalating tensions,” Tupas added.
The Iloilo representative urged all parties to resolve maritime issues according to international law, and with respect to the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which favored the Philippines’ case against China’s nine-dash line claim in the South China Sea.
“Resolution of maritime border issues must be made in adherence to international law, specifically the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award,” he pointed out.
“Respect for the Philippines’ sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea, our Exclusive Economic Zone, and territorial waters must be observed.”
READ: PCG condemns China Coast Guard’s water cannon attack in WPS
On August 5, a China Coast Guard vessel blocked PCG vessels escorting boats delivering supplies to Filipino soldiers in the West Philippine Sea.
A photograph of the incident showed that the CCG water cannon-attacked the PCG vessels.
READ: Marcos says another note verbale sent to China after water cannon attack