This image released by the Armed Forces of the Philippines shows a Chinese militia vessel (top) and Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Cabra as it approaches Second Thomas Shoal, locally called Ayungin Shoal, in the disputed area of South China Sea on Sunday, October 22, 2023. (Armed Forces of the Philippines via AP)
Update
MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has condemned China’s aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
He urged the Asian superpower to adhere to maritime laws to ensure the safety of all parties concerned.
Romualdez on Monday said the Chinese Coast Guard’s collisions with Philippine boats have placed the lives of passengers in the vessels in danger and regional peace and stability at risk.
“We, at the House of Representatives, vehemently condemn China’s recent actions that led to the collision of its Coast Guard vessel 5203 with the private resupply vessel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” the Speaker said.
“Such actions not only jeopardized the lives of those onboard but threatened regional peace and stability,” he noted.
“We implore China to adhere to international maritime laws and standards, act with restraint, and guarantee the safety of all vessels in the West Philippine Sea,” he added.
Similarly, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) considers the event an affront to the Filipino nation.
“We view this not only as aggression targeted at our Coast Guard but as an affront to each Filipino because at the heart of this act is a violation of our national sovereignty, the defense of what is truly ours,” the organization said.
“We cannot forever play a cat-and-mouse game in the West Philippine Sea because our subservience will cost the lives and livelihood of our kababayan,” it lamented.
“We lost trillions to damaged coral reefs and lost hundreds of thousands of kilos of fish to Chinese maritime militia that are rivaling and exceeding the catch of our very own fisherfolk, jeopardizing our prosperity and food security,” it added.
On Sunday, it was reported that Chinese ships hit a boat contracted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and a Philippine Coast Guard ship on a mission to replenish the supplies of troops stationed in BRP Sierra Madre.
BRP Sierra Madre is a Navy ship beached near Ayungin Shoal.
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