Senators find China’s incursions in WPS ‘deplorable’: They must stop

An aerial photo from a diplomatic source shows a China Coast Guard vessel shooting a powerful stream of water at a boat operated by the Philippine Navy. (File picture dated August 6, 2023)

MANILA, Philippines — Senators denounced the incursion of China in the West Philippine Sea, saying its bullying tactics against Filipino-manned vessels are evident.

A Philippine Coast Guard vessel and a Chinese Coast Guard ship collided on Tuesday during China’s “dangerous maneuvers” in Philippine waters.

In another incident after the collision, China’s ship also attacked a Philippine vessel on a mission to bring supplies to troops in the grounded BRP Sierra Madre.

In separate statements on Tuesday, three senators aired their views on these events.

Senator Jinggoy Estrada said the Philippines’ resupply missions do not give China the power to harass and put Filipino-manned vessels in danger.

“Makailang beses nang nangyari ang mga ganitong banggaan sa karagatan na kinasasangkutan ng barko ng PCG at ng China Coast Guard, kasama ang ilang Chinese militia vessels,” said Estrada.

(Collisions involving the vessels of the PCG and China Coast Guard, along with Chinese militia vessels, have happened numerous times.)

“Malinaw ang mga bullying tactics nila sa ating mga sasakyang pandagat at sa mga pagkakataong ito, kailanman ay hindi tayo naging banta sa kanilang seguridad,” he emphasized.

(Their bullying tactics on our vessels are clear, and in these instances, we have never been a threat to their security.)

Estrada then called on China to respect international maritime laws and cease its bullying tactics.

“Such provocative actions are unacceptable,” he stressed.

The senator heads the Senate committee on defense.

Senator Grace Poe, on the other hand, stressed the Philippines must not let the instances of harassment and attacks against Filipinos pass.

“We denounce the latest unlawful and dangerous actions by the Chinese Coast Guard that led to the collision with a Philippine vessel and the latter’s damage,” said Poe.

“The water cannon attack against our ship on a peaceful resupply mission is deplorable and must stop,” she added.

Poe emphasized the Philippines will stand firm that resupply missions inside the Philippine territory are “legal and must not be disrupted by intruders.”

PCG earlier bared the collision transpired during the “rotation and reprovisioning operation” of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea on Tuesday.

PGG Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said PCG vessels faced dangerous maneuvers and blocking from Chinese Coast Guard vessels and the Chinese maritime militia.

The collision caused “minor structural damage” to a PCG vessel, he revealed.

Additionally, Senator JV Ejercito said he is outraged by China’s recent blatant aggression in the West Philippine Sea.

“Chinese vessels’ recent reckless maneuvers and blocking tactics at Ayungin Shoal are clear signs of desperate attempt[s] to unlawfully seize Philippine territory. Hence, China’s delusion that the West Philippine Sea belongs to them must be put to an end,” Ejercito emphasized.

He also claimed that the Philippines upholds peaceful resolution of disputes in adherence to international law, but China’s aggression “often deviate[s] from these principles.”

With this, Ejercito saw the need to expedite the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. According to him, doing so could strengthen the country’s defense posture and ensure the safety of Filipinos.