Japan stands with Philippines after collision with China off Ayungin Shoal

Ambassador of Japan in the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko expressed support to the Philippines Monday after the latter’s vessel had collision with China’s ships on Sunday.

The Japanese envoy said that he was “seriously concerned” and “alarmed" about the incident as he opposed supposed attempts “to change the status quo by force or coercion”.

“Seriously concerned about and alarmed by the collision between Chinese and Philippines vessels,” he said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

“Japan strongly opposes any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion.We stand with/by PH’s position; upholding maritime order based on UNCLOS & 2016 Arbitral Award,” he added.

Seriously concerned about and alarmed by the collision betweenChinese and Philippines vessels. strongly opposes any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion.We stand with/by PH’s position; upholding maritime order based on UNCLOS & 2016 Arbitral Award.

— Ambassador of Japan in the Philippines (@AmbJPNinPH) October 22, 2023

Philippine government officials said the collision occurred on Sunday when two Filipino supply boats escorted by two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels were heading to Ayungin Shoal.

The Filipino boats were about to deliver food and other supplies to the grounded Philippine warship BRP Sierra Madre for the small Navy personnel there who were guarding the shoal.

Ayungin Shoal is located 105.77 nautical miles from the nearest Philippine province of Palawan and constitutes part of the country's 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf as provided under a United Nations convention.

On Monday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it has summoned the Chinese ambassador to the Philippines following the incident.

"We are making full use of diplomatic processes and are exercising all possible actions available to us, that includes summoning the Chinese ambassador this morning," DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza said at a news conference.

A strongly-worded diplomatic protest enumerated the CCG's violations after hitting two Philippine vessels and expressed Manila's displeasure and deep  concern over the incident.

"We have every right to carry out legitimate activities in our maritime zones. We do not accept any form of interference," Daza said, adding that China, as a big country, should be responsible in contributing to the peace and stability in the region.—AOL, GMA Integrated News