Nat’l Maritime Council slams China’s ‘illegal, reckless’ acts off Pag-asa Island

The National Maritime Council (NMC) has denounced what it said was illegal and reckless actions of the China Coast Guard (CCG) in the waters off Pag-asa Island, where CCG ships water cannoned and later rammed a Philippine government vessel.

The NMC on Sunday evening expressed grave concern over the latest incident, when vessels of the CCG and the Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) approached and conducted dangerous maneuvers and activated their water cannons, as they approached three vessels of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), including the BRP Datu Pagbuaya, which were anchored near Pag-asa Island at 8:15 a.m. on Sunday.

Pag-asa Island is part of the territorial waters of the Philippines and the biggest among the Kalayaan Island Group located 277 kilometers from Puerto Princesa in Palawan.

“It must be emphasized that Pag-asa Island forms part of the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG), which is an integral part of the Philippines over which it has longstanding sovereignty and jurisdiction,” it said in a statement.

“The Philippines is clearly within its rights to conduct routine maritime operations in and around Pag-asa Island, and will continue to do so,” the statement added.

Water cannon

At 9:15 a.m., CCG vessel 21559 fired a water cannon directly at the BRP Datu Pagbuya, and deliberately rammed its stern which caused minor damage. There were no reported injuries to the Filipino crew.

“The actions of Philippine authorities in the territorial sea of Pag-asa Island are a valid exercise of Philippine sovereignty and jurisdiction, and consistent with international law, particularly the 1982 United nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, as well as the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea,” the NMC said.

“China has no right to interfere with these lawful and routine activities,” it added.

The Philippines in 2016 scored a victory against China in a landmark ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, that invalidated Beijing’s massive South China Sea claims.

China has refused to acknowledge such ruling, and its government in 2022 claimed that it will continue to adhere to what it described as a “friendly consultation” with the Philippines after several Chinese vessels have been found “swarming” areas in the West Philippine Sea.

“The Philippines will undertake the appropriate diplomatic action to convey its strong objections to the aggressive and illegal actions of China, and urges it to immediately cease these actions, respect international law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award, and avoid further escalation in the region,” the NMC said.

“China must be sincere and hold true to its call for dialogue and consultation by demonstrating constructive actions and desisting from all provocative actions,” it added.

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in May reiterated such ruling when it rejected statements of the Chinese Embassy in Manila claiming ownership over Pag-asa Island and its cays.

The Philippines has already filed over 150 diplomatic protests against China regarding the territorial dispute under the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. — BM, GMA Integrated News