(UPDATE) THE Philippines on Thursday condemned the recent aggressive and dangerous actions by Chinese maritime forces against Philippine vessels, aircraft and Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea, saying these incidents “endanger lives, violate international law, and undermine regional peace and stability.” In a statement, the National Maritime Council (NMC) said these “unlawful acts” by the China Coast Guard (CCG), the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), the Chinese Maritime Militia and other Chinese maritime forces occurred in areas where the Philippines has sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction.
On March 7, the NMC said that a PLAN vessel directed its fire-control radar at BRP Miguel Malvar near Escoda Shoal during a lawful patrol, an act constituting a threat of force.
The council also reported that Filipino fishermen at Bajo de Masinloc were harassed on March 17 by Chinese vessels through dangerous maneuvers, sirens and RHIB (rigid-hull inflatable boat) deployment, interfering with their lawful fishing activities.
On March 20, it said that a Philippine Coast Guard aircraft conducting a routine maritime patrol over the Kalayaan Island Group was met with flares near Panganiban Reef, endangering aviation safety.
Also, on the same day, a BFAR vessel was subjected to a dangerous maneuver by a CCG vessel at Paredes Reef (Discovery Great Reef), the NMC said.
On March 26, the council also said that a Philippine navy vessel avoided collision after a PLAN vessel executed an unsafe maneuver near Pag-asa Island, in violation of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.
“Philippine operations in these areas are lawful and consistent with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 Arbitral Award,” the NMC said.
“On the other hand, the activities of China in these areas are inconsistent with international law and the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea,” it added.
The NMC said the Philippine Coast Guard, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and relevant maritime agencies remained firm in safeguarding Filipino fisherfolk and upholding the country’s sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea.
The council said the Philippines would also undertake appropriate diplomatic actions and engage existing bilateral dialogue mechanisms toward addressing these incidents and concerns.
“The country also reiterates its call on China to withdraw and direct its vessels and maritime assets to cease and desist from illegal, provocative and dangerous actions against Philippine vessels, and to stop activities that violate Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction; and to comply with its obligations under international law,” the NMC said.
“The National Maritime Council reaffirms its commitment to a peaceful, lawful and principled approach in protecting the nation’s maritime interests in the West Philippine Sea,” it added.
The NMC is the interagency body created by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in March 2024 to strengthen the Philippines’ maritime security and increase maritime domain awareness among Filipinos amid China’s aggressive tactics and threats in the West Philippine Sea.
