The Philippines on Tuesday protested China’s use of military-grade laser, including dangerous maneuvers, against a Coast Guard vessle while on a resupply mission for Filipino troops stationed in Ayungin Shoal.
In a protest lodged by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Manila called out China’s Coast Guard for its “latest aggressive activities” against Philippine vessels, heightening tensions anew between the two Asian neighbors locked in yearslong territorial disputes in the resource-rich waters.
“The Philippines has the prerogative to conduct legitimate activities within its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. China does not have law enforcement rights or powers in and around Ayungin Shoal or any part of the Philippine EEZ,” said DFA spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza.United States declared support for the Philippines
US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said the US “stands with our Philippine allies” in the face of China’s latest aggressive act.pointed a “military-grade” laser light at one of its vessels supporting a Philippine Navy rotation and resupply mission on Feb. 6A Philippine Naval vessel – the BRP Sierra Madre – has been grounded at Ayungin shoal since 1999.
But Daza said, “These acts of aggression by China are disturbing and disappointing as it closely follows the state visit to China of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in early January during which he and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to manage maritime differences through diplomacy and dialogue, without resorting to force and intimidation.”
“We call on China to comply with its obligations under international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS and the 2016 Award in the South China Sea Arbitration and direct its vessels to cease and desist from its aggressive activities against Philippine vessels,” said Daza.In 2013, the Philippines challenged China’s legal basis for its vast claim in the South China Sea before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands.
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