DND slams China's 'dangerous maneuvers' near Bajo de Masinloc

The Department of National Defense (DND) on Friday slammed the dangerous moves of Chinese ships against a Philippine ship near Bajo de Masinloc recently.

“We have to expect more of the same. I mean alangan naman hindi natin gawin ang katungkulan natin sa ating jurisdiction sa ilalim ng batas. Di pwede yun. Sila ba nagdidikta ng batas ng mundo? Hindi,” Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said in an ambush interview.

(I mean, we cannot abandon our duty in our jurisdiction under the law? That's not possible. Are they dictating the laws of the world? No.)

On Thursday, the Philippine military reported that two Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ships and a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel performed aggressive and unsafe maneuvers against a Philippine vessel near Bajo de Masinloc on May 5.

Philippine Navy’s BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS35) was conducting routine and maritime patrol operations in support of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the Philippine Coast Guard.

“The Chinese frigate BN 554 was documented tailing PS35 at close range, while BN 573 dangerously crossed its bow in a high-risk maneuver that created the danger of collision,” the AFP said.

“China Coast Guard vessel 5403 also attempted to obstruct PS35’s navigational path,” it added.

Teodoro said that China is not adhering to the rule of law, calling the Beijing government a “valedictorian” for committing violations.

“I mean so bukod tangi po sila. Valedictorian po sila sa hindi pagsunod ng rule of law,” Teodoro said.

(I mean, they are unique. They are valedictorians in not following the rule of law.)

“Hindi pwede sinumang ma-disappoint sa latest na nangyayari. Hindi disappointed, expected yun. I mean kaya kailangan paghandahan itong mga ito at tutulan,” he added.

(No one can be disappointed by the latest incidents. We are not disappointed, we expected it. I mean, that's why we need to prepare for and oppose it.)

Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.

Parts of the South China Sea that fall within Philippine territory have been renamed by the government as West Philippine Sea to reinforce the country’s claim.

The West Philippine Sea refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago including Luzon Sea and the waters around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis."

China has refused to recognize the decision. —VAL, GMA Integrated News