PH calls out China's dangerous, inhumane acts vs Pinoy fishers near Escoda Shoal

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Tuesday slammed China for its “dangerous” and “inhumane” actions against Filipino fishers near Escoda Shoal in West Philippine Sea (WPS).

“The Department of National Defense (DND) strongly denounces the dangerous and inhumane actions taken by Chinese maritime forces against Filipino fishers in the vicinity of Escoda Shoal,” Teodoro said in a statement.

“Water cannoning, aggressive maneuvering, and the cutting of anchor lines resulting in physical injuries of Filipino civilians are wholly inconsistent with the duty of all States to ensure the safety of human lives,” he added.

On December 12, three Filipino fishermen were injured after Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) and militia vessels used water cannons and acted aggressively against Filipino fishing boats near the shoal.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun on Monday again claimed “indisputable sovereignty” over the area and accused the Philippines of making provocations.

“The Philippine personnel even threatened China Coast Guard officers with knives who were carrying out rights-defending law enforcement activities,” the Chinese official earlier said.

However, Teodoro tagged China’s statement as false narrative and disinformation.

“The attempt by the Spokesperson of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to justify these actions by invoking ‘indisputable sovereignty’ and peddling blatant lies like ‘knife-wielding’ fishermen are not supported by facts and evidence,” he said.

“We call on China to stop spreading false narratives and engaging in State orchestrated disinformation campaign,” he added.

Protest

Last Monday, the Philippines said it would protest the Chinese coast guard's "harassment and endangerment" of Filipino fishermen in Escoda Shoal.

"The Philippines will undertake the appropriate diplomatic response and register its strong objection to these actions and demand that China cease such aggressive acts," the Philippines' maritime council said in a statement.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro told reporters that the Philippines will file a demarche to the Chinese embassy on Monday, citing information from the foreign minister.

The United States and Canada have also condemned China's recent water cannon attack against Filipino fishermen at Escoda Shoal.

China called out the United States for its expression of support to the Philippines following the December 12 incident near Escoda Shoal.

“The US is not a party to the South China Sea issue and has no right to interfere in the maritime issues between parties concerned. The US needs to stop making fact-distorting and provocative remarks, and stop abetting and supporting the Philippines’ attempt of creating troubles in the South China Sea,” he said.

But Teodoro rejects the assertion that other nations have “no right” to comment or respond.

“The international community has a legitimate interest in upholding international law, freedom of navigation, and the safety of civilians at sea, particularly when coercive acts threaten stability in a vital international waterway,” he said.

“Unlike China, we in the Philippines don't silence dissent with violence and intimidation,” he added.

Escoda or Sabina Shoal is located 75 nautical miles or about 140 kilometers off Palawan and is within the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ). 

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.

“China's claims of indisputable sovereignty over the feature are illegal and unfounded as neither an international tribunal nor international law-abiding State has ever recognized Chinese sovereignty over Escoda Shoal,” Teodoro said.

“We reiterate that maritime entitlements in the area are governed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the 2016 Arbitral Award is final and binding. Claims and actions that disregard these legal principles undermine the rules-based international order and erode regional peace and stability,” he added. — with a report from Reuters/ AOL/ VDV, GMA Integrated News