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HEADLINES
Command conference on West Philippine Sea
By Nidz Godino
"Philippine government views latest aggression by China as blatant violation of international law… China has no legal right or authority to conduct law enforcement operations in our territorial waters…we are taking this incident seriously at highest level of government," Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. said at press conference at the Palace after command conference President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.convened his security and defense officials for command conference at Malacañang discussed disruption by Chinese of resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre, one of its ships slightly hit Philippine Coast Guard vessel during "dangerous and provocative" maneuver.
At command conference, FMJ was reported to have expressed very serious concern about incident , as he ordered swift probe while Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) lodged diplomatic protest and summoned Beijing's ambassador.
With Teodoro at Palace press conference were Navy chief Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr. and PCG commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan.
"President is taking this very, very seriously… highest levels of government are giving serious weight to this incident, given false narrative of China, given more incredulous and aggressive behavior they display and given that we cannot tolerate this kind of action, we are here to really decry in strongest possible terms this egregious violation and illegal act within 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone and obfuscation of truth by China's distorting story to fit its own ends and duplicity in claiming to be peaceful and friendly while resorting to these aggressive acts," Teodoro said.
In post on X, PCG-West Philippine Sea spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela said their statement on Sunday's incident was truthful and backed up by proof.
"We do not respond to lies, we only comment on facts…our narrative is always backed up with compelling images and unedited videos, additionally, we always adhere to international laws, as we believe in upholding ethical standards in all our actions," he said.
DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza said country has filed fresh diplomatic protest against China over latest incident in Ayungin Shoal.
Unaizah May 2, Armed Forces of the Philippines-contracted supply boat, and PCG Coast Guard vessel BRP Cabra were en route to Ayungin Shoal to deliver supplies to Filipino military detachment manning Sierra Madre when they were "harassed" and "intentionally hit" by China Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels, defense chief said.
Philippine Ambassador to China Jaime FlorCruz has been instructed to convey Manila's protest to Beijing's foreign ministry, according to Teodoro.
Adaci presented to media video clips of two incidents of Chinese dangerous maneuver. He said PCG vessel suffered some damage at stern after being hit by Chinese militia vessel.
Gavan, for his part, expect to complete investigation in five days.
"As we speak, I have already issued directive to our Commander, Coast Guard District Palawan to conduct maritime incident investigation immediately," Gavan said.
He said probe would focus on determining extent of damage to Filipino vessels involved.
"But at this point, it is very clear two incidents are violations of Collision Regulations very regulation we, coast guards, are expected to enforce…so we find it unfortunate or ironic fellow coast guard will violate law which they themselves are supposed to enforce,so, we'll be submitting report of our investigation through our department, Department of Transportation, to the President for final disposition," Gavan added.
But China said responsibility for Sunday's incident "lies entirely with Philippines."
It accused PCG vessel of "deliberately" stirring up trouble by making reverse in "premeditated manner" into Chinese vessel.
Teodoro said Filipinos deserve "undistorted answers" from government of China.
"Because, once again we repeat they have neither jurisdiction or authority to conduct any sort of governmental operations within our 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone…and no justification they can give will stand test of credence before our own people and, more importantly, before whole world," he said.
Ayungin Shoal is located about 105 nautical miles from Palawan. China is also claiming shoal, which it calls Ren'ai Jiao.
National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea spokesman Jonathan Malaya said Chinese vessels forced collisions with Philippine boats as shown on videos and photos of incident.
"I think it's very clear from what we showed you today provocative actions are on part of China… not Philippines that's increasing tensions… China that's increasing tensions in West Philippine Sea," Malaya said.
Unaiza May 2 resupply boat was 13.5 nautical miles east-northeast from grounded warship when "provocative, irresponsible and illegal action of CCGV 5203 imperiled safety of its crew."
In same resupply mission, Chinese Maritime Militia vessel 00003 jolted port side of PCG vessel MRRV 4409 while it was hovering 6.4 nautical miles northeast of Ayungin Shoal.
Malaya said task force finds development alarming enough for DFA to summon Chinese ambassador, stressing Philippines intends to send "clear and unequivocal message" China did was unacceptable.
"There's a collision already and as we've seen very clearly through photos and videos and as will be reported by our embedded media friends, China's actions were the ones caused this collision," Malaya said.
NTF-WPS spokesman added while government is thankful no one was hurt, such incident might happen again if no proper action is taken against China.
Meanwhile, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) lauded crewmen manning resupply boats and declared state forces would continue whatever it has to do to protect Philippines' territorial rights over West Philippine Sea.
"What Chinese vessels did was illegal and irresponsible…illegal in the sense that their presence in our EEZ ,exclusive economic zone is not authorized based on UNCLOS ,United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and arbitral award," AFP spokesman Col. Medel Aguilar said.
Aguilar also stressed Chinese vessels violated Convention on International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea of 1972.
"It is irresponsible because they acted recklessly, knowing very well high probability of collision, which will put lives of people in danger…let our people know and rest of the world know incident will not deter us from doing what is right," he said.
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