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EU backed Ph over SCSea water cannon incident

By Nidz Godino

"Last week, coastguard vessels of the People's Republic of China blocked two Philippine supply boats on their way to Second Thomas Shoal, 105 nautical miles west of the province of Palawan, Philippines in  South China Sea, and used water cannons against them…this episode follows other unilateral actions by vessels of the People's Republic of China in  South China Sea over the past months," European Union has become latest to voice opposition to the firing of Chinese water cannon at supply boats from the Philippines in the disputed South China Sea, as incident draws mounting criticism against Beijing.

 "The European Union reiterates its strong opposition to any unilateral actions that endanger peace, security and stability in the region and the international rules-based order."

Chinese diplomatic delegation to EU hit back, saying bloc's remarks would only create  negative impact on regional peace and stability.

The EU statement followed Washington's condemnation calling Chinese moves "dangerous, provocative, and unjustified" and warned that  armed attack on Philippine vessels would invoke US mutual defence commitments. Ambassadors from Australia, Japan, Germany and France in the Philippines also issued short statements supporting Manila.

Beijing has been pushing for progress on the established of  non-binding code of conduct in the South China Sea, after continuing conflicts with other claimants to the disputed waterway, which include Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.

Addressing Asean leaders at  virtual summit recently, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for "joint efforts" to safeguard stability in the South China Sea and "make it  sea of peace, friendship and cooperation". 

The gathering marked the 30th anniversary of ties between Beijing and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Philippine boats were transporting food supplies to military personnel based on Second Thomas Shoal Tuesday when they were forced to abort their mission,  had conveyed "in the strongest terms" to Beijing its "outrage, condemnation and protest of the incident".

China's foreign ministry said the two supply ships had entered what it views as Chinese waters without permission. According to  maritime law enacted by Beijing on September 1, all foreign vessels in the South China Sea are required to report to Chinese authorities. Manila said in September it would not abide by the unilateral rule.

Both  EU and US statements on the incident quoted the 2016 ruling by an international tribunal in The Hague which rejected China's claims to Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly archipelago, which it determined was part of the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

Beijing dismissed the ruling and has sent hundreds of vessels to Whitsun Reef, also in the Spratlys, despite protests from Manila calling their presence "illegal" and "threatening".

Vice President Leni Robredo had  "comprehensive and fruitful discussion" with retired Filipino generals, two days after Chinese vessels fired water cannons at Filipino boats in  West Philippine Sea.

"Expert views of these generals and respected military strategists are very much appreciated, as we recognize that with threats both present and evolving, we need an institutional, comprehensive, and deliberate approach to national security," Robredo said in a statement.

In a Facebook post, Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, her running mate in the 2022 elections, was also shown attending the meeting.
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National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. earlier confirmed that Chinese Coast Guard vessels on Tuesday, Nov. 16, blocked and used water cannons against Filipino supply boats that were transporting food supplies to military personnel at the BRP Sierra Madre based in Ayungin Shoal.

Esperon, chair of the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea, said the bombardment lasted for an hour.

"This kind of treatment to Filipinos must stop... WPS is ours as  arbitration tribunal ruled in July 2016," Robredo said, referring to  UN-backed court ruling that invalidated China's expansive economic claims in the South China Sea, where the West Philippine Sea is located.

Department of Foreign Affairs said no one was hurt in the incident but the supply boats identified as Unaiza Mae 1 and 3 had to abort the mission.

Manila has diplomatically protested and condemned "in strongest terms"  actions of  Chinese vessels, which according to Esperon took place "within our sovereign territory."

Robredo, a presidential contender in Halalan 2022, said the amount of time needed to plan a Philippine security policy and strategy regarding its maritime and territorial disputes with China "must be long-term for sustained implementation, regardless of changes in administration."

"Coherence in national security planning and economic development planning is important," she said, adding her office is committed to continued consultations with retired senior military officers. 

Robredo also thanked them for "looking out for the Filipino."

Those who attended the meeting were former Armed Forces chiefs of staff Gen. Eduardo Oban and Gen. Hernando Iriberri, former Navy flag OIC Vice Admiral Alexander Pama, former AFP vice chief of staff Lt. Gen. Salvador Mison Jr., former Navy vice commander Rear Admiral Rommel Jude Ong, former AFP internal auditor and spokesman Maj. Gen. Domingo Tutaan, and Maj. Gen. Arnold Mancita.

The Vice President, an outspoken critic of President Rodrigo Duterte's policy of setting aside Philippines' arbitral victory for friendly relations with Beijing, has said WPS issue is non-negotiable.

If elected president in 2022, Robredo said she is open to working with China as part of an inclusive and independent foreign policy "but when it comes to the WPS, we cannot deal with them without their recognition of the arbitral ruling."

President Duterte, for the most part of his term, refused to assert the arbitral ruling, calling it "a piece of paper," and warned that Philippines cannot wage a war against China.

But in late September, he also told the United Nations General Assembly that no "willful disregard" by any country "can diminish"  2016 ruling.

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