The government expressed “grave concern” over another reported instance of interference by the China Coast Guard involving fisheries bureau vessels in the West Philippine Sea.
This concern followed an incident in which two boats belonging to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) were water cannoned by the China Coast Guard (CCG) while conducting marine scientific research in the area.
In a statement released on Friday morning, the National Maritime Council (NMC) said the incident involved a CCG vessel performing dangerous maneuvers against BFAR vessels BRP Datu Sanday (MMOV 3002) and BRP Datu Pagbuaya (MMOV 3003), which were conducting a routine marine scientific research mission in the vicinity of Pag-asa Cay 2 (Sandy Cay).
The vessels were undertaking routine sampling and data collection operations in support of national programs on food security, fisheries management, and marine environmental protection.
CCG vessel 21559 then aggressively blocked the Philippine vessels, while another CCG vessel (5103) and two maritime militia vessels provided support.
“It is deeply regrettable that while the Philippines’ lawful and routine maritime operations have not been provocative, these have been met by a pattern of coercive actions, unsafe conduct, and blatant disinformation by Chinese maritime forces,” the NMC said.
Sandy Cay 2 is an islet about 2 nautical miles southwest of Pag-asa Island, over which the Philippines has long-standing sovereignty and jurisdiction, forming part of the Kalayaan Island Group.
“As such, these deliberate acts of interference and intimidation seriously violate the sovereignty of the Philippines and constitute a grave violation of international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the relevant domestic laws,” the statement read.
The agency further assured that the Philippines remains committed to the peaceful settlement of disputes, but at the same time will continue to exercise its rights, protect its maritime interests, and uphold the mandates of our civilian agencies, like the DA-BFAR, in carrying out their responsibilities in our waters.
As such, appropriate diplomatic actions, multilateral cooperation, and maritime capacity-building will be undertaken and sustained to ensure the safety and effectiveness of Philippine maritime operations, it added.
