Chinese Coast Guards Blocked, Water Cannoned PH Supply Boats in Disputed Sea
Philippine authorities have condemned the Chinese Coast Guards who reportedly blocked and water cannoned PH supply boats in the disputed sea.
Chinese Coast Guard vessels intercepted Philippine supply boats at Ayungin Shoal, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs. Three Chinese vessels “blocked and water cannoned” the two supply boats at Ayungin on Tuesday, according to a statement made by the Western Command in Palawan on Thursday.
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The purpose of these boats is to transport food supplies to military forces stationed in the area. The boats had to abandon their resupply operation, according to Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. He further stated that no one was injured as a result of the incident.
“I have conveyed in the strongest terms to H.E. Huang Xilian, Ambassador of China and to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing our outrage, condemnation and protest of the incident,” he said.
China’s actions were deemed illegal by the DFA because they occurred on Philippine soil. Ayungin Shoal, according to Locsin, is a component of the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG), which is a part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, and over which the Philippines has sovereignty, sovereign rights, and authority.
“The acts of the Chinese Coast Guard vessels are illegal. China has no law enforcement rights in and around these areas. They must take heed and back off,” he stressed.
He went on to say that what happened has put the relationship between China and the Philippines in jeopardy. The inability to exhibit self-control, according to the DFA chief, jeopardizes the special relationship between the Philippines and China, which President Rodrigo R. Duterte and President Xi Jinping have worked hard to nurture.
“The Philippines will continue to provide supplies to our troops in Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal). We do not ask permission to do what we need to do in our territory,” he stated.
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