MANILA - The US Embassy in the Philippines condemns what it calls China’s “aggressive, illegal actions” against Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessels undergoing humanitarian and support mission for Filipino fishing vessels near Bajo de Masinloc on Saturday.
This is after the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that three BFAR vessels were attacked by the Chinese Coast Guard and Chinese Maritime Militia using water cannons while on their way to deliver oil subsidy and grocery packs to over 30 Filipino fishing vessels near the contested waters in the West Philippine Sea.
JUST IN: National Task Force West Philippine Sea, kinumpirma ang panibagong insidente ng pambobomba ng tubig ng Chinese Coast Guard sa mga barko ng bansa sa West Philippine Sea | @dzrhnews
— Christian Maño (@xtian_mano) December 9, 2023
🎥: @coastguardph pic.twitter.com/St1wNthIJT
In her post on X (former Twitter), US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said that China’s behaviour “violates international law and endangers lives and livelihoods” of Filipino fishermen in the area.
Carlson reiterated the U.S.’s support for the Philippines by saying they “stand with our Philippine #FriendsPartnersAllies in support of a #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific.”
We condemn PRC's aggressive, illegal actions against 🇵🇭 BFAR vessels lawfully operating in the 🇵🇭 EEZ. This PRC behavior violates international law and endangers lives and livelihoods. We stand with our Philippine #FriendsPartnersAllies in support of a #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific.
— Ambassador MaryKay L. Carlson (@USAmbPH) December 9, 2023
Meanwhile, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko expressed concern about what he calls “dangerous actions by the CCG (China Coast Guard) vessels against PH vessels”.
In his post on X, Koshikawa said that such actions “endanger lives and livelihoods” and “pose the threat to peace and stability in the SCS (South China Sea).”
Japan’s top diplomat reiterated the importance of upholding international law, particularly the UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) and the 2016 Arbitral Award.
Seriously concerned about the dangerous actions by CCG vessels against PH vessels, which endanger lives and livelihoods and pose the threat to the peace and stability in SCS. We reiterate the importance of upholding international law, particularly UNCLOS, and 2016 Arbitral Award.
— Ambassador of Japan in the Philippines (@AmbJPNinPH) December 9, 2023
The Delegation of the European Union (EU) to the Philippines also called on all parties to maintain the rule of law.
In his post on X, EU Ambassador Luc Veron said that using water cannons cannot peacefully resolve disputes and recalls that “UNCLOS dispute settlement mechanisms contribute to maintaining and advancing the rule of law” and calls the 2016 UNCLOS Tribunal Award "legally binding and useful for peacefully resolving disputes.”
The EU recalls that UNCLOS dispute settlement mechanisms contribute to maintaining and advancing the rule of law. The 2016 UNCLOS Tribunal Award is legally binding and useful for peacefully resolving disputes. Water cannons aren’t! https://t.co/PrwovEpdsl
— Ambassador Luc Véron 🇪🇺 (@EUAmbPH) December 9, 2023
