THE Philippine government will remain steadfast in defending the sovereignty of the country.
This was emphasized by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. amid the recent aggressive actions by the Chinese Navy against Filipino troops in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
In his social media post, the Marcos instructed the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to continue their mandate in defending the country’s sovereignty and jurisdiction.
He also assured his full support to courageous Filipino service members.
The president highlighted that the provocations by the China Coast Guard (CCG) and its maritime militia in obstructing the Filipino resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal on Sunday only strengthened the nation’s determination to defend its sovereignty.
The head of state emphasized that China’s illegal presence in Philippine waters and its hazardous actions against civilians are blatant violations of international law and the rules-based international order.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) previously reported that Chinese Naval vessels used water cannons against Philippine Naval vessels during a resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal on Sunday.
One of the Filipino resupply vessels suffered engine damage.
According to the initial PCG report, another Filipino supply boat collided with the water cannon attack by the CCG.
In connection with this, President Marcos reiterated that Ayungin Shoal is within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Philippines. He stated that any foreign claim to sovereignty in the area is baseless and goes against international law.
Bajo de Masinloc or Ayungin Shoal is a sovereign territory of the Philippines and an integral part of the country’s archipelago.
President Marcos stated that no one except the Philippines has legitimate rights or legal basis to operate anywhere in the WPS.
Before the incident on Sunday, there were reports of a water cannon attack by Chinese Naval Forces against Bureau of Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessels heading to Scarborough Shoal on Saturday.
Last month, a Philippine ship on a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal was also targeted by water cannon attacks from Chinese Naval vessels, forcing it to deviate.
Philippines takes 3 legal remedies against alleged illegal acts by China in WPS
Meanwhile, the Marcos administration has taken three legal steps to ‘call out’ the recent aggression by the CCG in the WPS.
This was stated by Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Spokesperson Assistant Secretary Ma. Teresita Daza in a press briefing at Malacañang on Monday.
Daza said they utilized a ‘maritime communication mechanism’ and filed a diplomatic protest with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the use of water cannons by Chinese Naval vessels against Philippine boats.
“The Department of Foreign Affairs lodged its diplomatic protest with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs counterpart through a phone call”.
“And in terms of the démarche undertaken by our Philippine Embassy in Beijing, yes, we confirmed that our Philippine Embassy in Beijing has the démarche to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs official yesterday concerning the Bajo de Masinloc incident and the Ayungin Shoal incident,” according to Asec. Ma. Teresita Daza, Spokesperson DFA.
Daza added that Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian was also summoned.
When asked if the DFA shares the same view as some senators who suggest declaring the Chinese Ambassador persona non grata.
“When an ambassador assumes, he is accepted by the accrediting host government. If you do something or say something that is unwelcomed, then you can be subject to what they call persona non grata. But with this case, I think it’s something that will have to be seriously considered whether the incidents or the series of incidents merit having him be a persona non grata,” Asec. Daza’s response.
Daza reiterated that the DFA will continue its commitment to uphold its mandate to protect and promote the Philippine legal maritime entitlement in the WPS.
