25 Marso 2024, Lunes
supports Fire Prevention Month
deepest sympathy to family of the late Danilo Halili
supports Women Month March
joins Christian nations in observance of Lenten season
welcomes Bagong Bayani Monico Lopez Caranay
Ph resupply boat heavily damaged
By J.Lo
“UM4 supply boat sustained heavy damages at around 08:52 due to continued blasting of water cannons from CCG vessels,” Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said in statement, without describing the nature of damage or whether there were any casualties.
Again, using water cannons and executing dangerous maneuvers, Chinese coast guard (CCG) made another attempt to block Filipino vessels from resupplying military outpost on BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, causing “major damage” and triggering condemnation from United States (US), European Union and Japan.
Again, Beijing throw back to Philippines the incident, saying resupply mission was “provocative move infringes upon China’s sovereignty.”
National Security Adviser Eduardo Año immediately called for high-level security meeting tentatively set for Monday to discuss next actions to be taken and recommended to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
AFP released video clips that showed white ship repeatedly blasting another vessel sailing alongside it with water cannon. One clip showed two white ships simultaneously firing water at the same vessel.
It also released another clip showing white ship marked “China Coast Guard” crossing bow of grey vessel it identified as Philippine supply boat Unaizah May 4.
It said videos were taken while Unaizah May 4 (UM4) was on its way to Ayungin Shoal. AFP said UM4 was able to complete rotation and resupply (RORE) mission with help of BRP Cabra of Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
It was second time this month UM4 had been damaged during attempt to resupply outpost. In March 5 RORE mission, military general and four other passengers of UM4 were slightly injured in water cannon attack, also shattered boat’s windshield.
Periodic updates released by the military said UM4 left Naval Detachment Oyster Bay in Puerto Princesa City on Friday and encountered CCG vessel, crossed its bow, at 6:08 in the morning.
An hour later at 7:09 in the morning as e supply boat was approaching Ayungin Shoal, Chinese vessel performed AFP described as reverse blocking maneuver, causing near collision.
At around 7:59 in the morning., military said CCG ship started blasting its water cannon at UM4, “deliberately targeting and hitting supply boat.”
Some 30 minutes later at 8:38 in the morning, Filipino supply boat was again subjected to water cannon attack from two CCG ships.
BRP Cabra that was escorting UM4 was able to maneuver and reach supply boat to offer help. Before noon, the two vessels were able to reach Ayungin Shoal to unload supplies and provisions on Sierra Madre using inflatable boats.
“Personnel are being rotated in to ensure BRP Sierra Madre’s mission posture remains uncompromised… RORE operation is again manifestation of AFP’s resolve in rightfully and lawfully maintaining its presence at the shoal in continued protection of Philippine sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ),” AFP said.
Año, chairs National Task Force for West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS), said government’s security cluster, including Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, would have to convene in light of China’s growing aggressiveness in asserting its illegal claim in West Philippine Sea.
“Systematic and consistent manner PRC continues to carry out these illegal and irresponsible actions belies its hollow claims to peace, dialogue and adherence to international law,” NTF-WPS said in statement.
It said China coast guard’s actions have proven to Filipinos and international community that China “recognizes no reasonable or legal restraint nor limitation upon its actions under international law.”
It added Chinese “reckless and dangerous actions” caused injuries to Filipinos on board UM4.
In its statement, NTF-WPS also said PCG vessels 4407 and 4409 were able to break through CCG’s blocking formation to provide relief and assistance to “disabled” UM4.
It said Chinese were spotted placing floating barrier at northwestern entrance to the lagoon of Ayungin Shoal.
“Philippines shall continue to act peacefully and responsibly, consistent with international law, particularly UNCLOS and legally binding 2016 Arbitral Award. Peace and stability cannot be achieved without due regard for legitimate, well-established and legally settled rights of others, Philippines will not be deterred by veiled threats or hostility from exercising our legal rights over our maritime zones, including Ayungin Shoal which forms part of our EEZ and continental shelf…we demand that China demonstrate in deeds and not in words that it is responsible and trustworthy member of international community” NTF-WPS said.
Reacting to the latest Chinese aggression, US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson posted on X that her country firmly supports Philippines against China’s “repeated dangerous maneuvers & water cannons to disrupt Philippine Coast Guard’s lawful activities in Philippine EEZ.”
“PRC’s interference with Philippine freedom of navigation violates international law and threatens a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Carlson said.
Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya voiced his country’s “grave concern on repeated dangerous actions by CCG in SCS resulted in Filipino injuries.”
“Japan stands in solidarity with Philippines as confirmed at Japan-Philippines-US Vice Foreign Ministers’ meeting held in this week,” he said.
EU Ambassador Luc Véron is “concerned by recurring dangerous maneuvers, blocking and water-cannoning from Chinese Coast Guard vessels and Maritime Militia against Philippine vessels engaged in resupply missions.”
“EU reiterates call for all parties to abide by legally binding 2016 Arbitration Award and international law to peacefully resolve disputes, guaranteeing safety for all in maritime waters,” he said.
In statement posted on website of state-run CGTN, CCG drove away Philippine vessels from Ayungin Shoal “in professional manner.”
“China Coast Guard announced on Saturday regulatory actions have been taken against Philippine vessels illegally entered waters adjacent to Ren’ai Jiao of China’s Nansha Qundao,” statement read.
Gan Yu, spokesperson for China Coast Guard, in separate statement called resupply trip to Sierra Madre “irregular mission” carried out just 18 days after previous one in “attempt to transport construction materials to illegally ‘grounded’ warship.”
Gan accused Philippine resupply boat of “forcefully intruding” into the shoal “despite repeated warnings and routing control” by CCG, he said “implemented lawful regulation, interception and expulsion in reasonable and professional manner.”
“We warn Philippines that playing with fire is invitation of disgrace, and China Coast Guard is ready at all times to defend country’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests,” Gan added.
State-run Chinese newspaper Global Times tweeted CCG’s spokesperson’s blaming Philippines for “disrupting peace and stability of South China Sea.”
“As you know, our position: Ren’ai Jiao is part of China’s Nansha Qundao. China has indisputable sovereignty over Nansha Qundao, including Ren’ai Jiao, and their adjacent waters,” Chinese embassy, for its part, said.
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