MANILA: Eng Defense Secretary of the Philippines there is a country that focuses on strengthening its own military to prevent armed attacks, local media reported, following incidents of rampage in disputed areas. South China Sea of Philippine vessels by Chinese ship.
A Philippines The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel, ‘BRP Datu Sanday’ (MMOV 3002), encountered “aggressive and dangerous maneuvers” by eight Chinese Coast Guard vessels while operating from Hasa-Hasa Shoal to Escoda Shoal,” PNA news outlet reported .
The actions of the Chinese ships are aimed at obstructing the humanitarian mission of Philippine ships to supply solar power, food and medical supplies to Filipino fishermen, the West Philippine Sea National Task Force said.
Both islands – Hasa-Hasa (Half Moon) Shoal and Escoda (Sabina) Shoal – are claimed by the Philippines to be in their exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
He added that this unprofessional, aggressive and illegal act poses a serious risk to the safety of the Filipino crew and the fishermen they are supposed to serve.
“BRP Datu Sanday was targeted by People’s Liberation Navy ship 626 and several Chinese Coast Guard ships, which tried to surround and obstruct the humanitarian mission,” the task force said.
Philippine authorities said a Chinese coast guard ship also trained water cannons on the ‘BRP Datu Sanday’, causing its engine to fail.
The Philippine National Task Force, however, denied claims that the Filipino fell into the sea and was later rescued by the Chinese Coast Guard after the ramming incident. In the House of Representatives, speaker Ferdinand Romualdez expressed alarm over China’s “increasingly aggressive” actions.
“Again, we condemn in the strongest possible way this latest reckless and dangerous maneuver by the China Coast Guard on our ship,” he was quoted as saying by the PNA news outlet.
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. was quoted by the PNA news outlet as telling reporters in Manila when asked if the Philippines and its military allies, United States of America (US), should discuss whether the armed attack occurred in the latest incident as he said, “You know that put the cart before the horse. Let us prevent armed attacks. That is more important here.”
“This is what I want. Everyone is very focused on armed attacks. Let’s be strong so that it doesn’t happen,” said Teodoro.
The United States, which has a longstanding defense treaty with the Philippines, has reiterated its support for Manila.
In a post on X on Sunday, US Ambassador MaryKay L Carlson said, “Unsafe, illegal and aggressive actions by the PRC are disrupting the legitimate mission of the Philippines, endangering lives – the latest in a series of dangerous actions by the PRC (People’s Republic of China). They added the hashtag #FriendsPartnersAllies.
The Philippines and the US have a seven-decade-old Mutual Defense Treaty, which says the two countries will support each other in the event of an attack from an external party.
Meanwhile, Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya also posted on X that Tokyo opposes any action that increases tensions in the region and endangers people’s lives.
“Another development around Sabina Shoal is unacceptable. Any harassment and actions that increase tension or hinder freedom of navigation are not acceptable. Maintaining the international order based on rules and fulfilling commitments must be done,” read the post of the Japanese Ambassador X.
On Sunday, Philippine National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said Manila remains steadfast in asserting its rights under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award.
Ships from the Philippines and China have been involved in a dispute in the South China Sea, over control of a coral reef called the Second Thomas Shoal. A Chinese Coast Guard ship accidentally collided with two Philippine ships on August 19.
Meanwhile, Philippine authorities said that on August 22, a Chinese military aircraft launched a flare from an island claimed by the military in Zamora Reef, during a Maritime Domain Awareness Flight (MDA) conducted by the BFAR.
A Philippines The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel, ‘BRP Datu Sanday’ (MMOV 3002), encountered “aggressive and dangerous maneuvers” by eight Chinese Coast Guard vessels while operating from Hasa-Hasa Shoal to Escoda Shoal,” PNA news outlet reported .
The actions of the Chinese ships are aimed at obstructing the humanitarian mission of Philippine ships to supply solar power, food and medical supplies to Filipino fishermen, the West Philippine Sea National Task Force said.
Both islands – Hasa-Hasa (Half Moon) Shoal and Escoda (Sabina) Shoal – are claimed by the Philippines to be in their exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
He added that this unprofessional, aggressive and illegal act poses a serious risk to the safety of the Filipino crew and the fishermen they are supposed to serve.
“BRP Datu Sanday was targeted by People’s Liberation Navy ship 626 and several Chinese Coast Guard ships, which tried to surround and obstruct the humanitarian mission,” the task force said.
Philippine authorities said a Chinese coast guard ship also trained water cannons on the ‘BRP Datu Sanday’, causing its engine to fail.
The Philippine National Task Force, however, denied claims that the Filipino fell into the sea and was later rescued by the Chinese Coast Guard after the ramming incident. In the House of Representatives, speaker Ferdinand Romualdez expressed alarm over China’s “increasingly aggressive” actions.
“Again, we condemn in the strongest possible way this latest reckless and dangerous maneuver by the China Coast Guard on our ship,” he was quoted as saying by the PNA news outlet.
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. was quoted by the PNA news outlet as telling reporters in Manila when asked if the Philippines and its military allies, United States of America (US), should discuss whether the armed attack occurred in the latest incident as he said, “You know that put the cart before the horse. Let us prevent armed attacks. That is more important here.”
“This is what I want. Everyone is very focused on armed attacks. Let’s be strong so that it doesn’t happen,” said Teodoro.
The United States, which has a longstanding defense treaty with the Philippines, has reiterated its support for Manila.
In a post on X on Sunday, US Ambassador MaryKay L Carlson said, “Unsafe, illegal and aggressive actions by the PRC are disrupting the legitimate mission of the Philippines, endangering lives – the latest in a series of dangerous actions by the PRC (People’s Republic of China). They added the hashtag #FriendsPartnersAllies.
The Philippines and the US have a seven-decade-old Mutual Defense Treaty, which says the two countries will support each other in the event of an attack from an external party.
Meanwhile, Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya also posted on X that Tokyo opposes any action that increases tensions in the region and endangers people’s lives.
“Another development around Sabina Shoal is unacceptable. Any harassment and actions that increase tension or hinder freedom of navigation are not acceptable. Maintaining the international order based on rules and fulfilling commitments must be done,” read the post of the Japanese Ambassador X.
On Sunday, Philippine National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said Manila remains steadfast in asserting its rights under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award.
Ships from the Philippines and China have been involved in a dispute in the South China Sea, over control of a coral reef called the Second Thomas Shoal. A Chinese Coast Guard ship accidentally collided with two Philippine ships on August 19.
Meanwhile, Philippine authorities said that on August 22, a Chinese military aircraft launched a flare from an island claimed by the military in Zamora Reef, during a Maritime Domain Awareness Flight (MDA) conducted by the BFAR.
