iskup news-on-line daily is creation of Godino's Advertising Agency, Trece Martires City, Cavite
23 Oktubre 2023, Lunes
supports evangelical Pastors' Month
underboard nurses, be health care associates, inquire to DOH
Pilipinas, may pinakamahabang pasko sa daigdig, Maligayang Pasko!!!
7 days to BSKE
Klinpix Janitorial and Pest Control Services is hiring riders with units of college or equivalent in non-formal training, pretty account executives (college graduates), drivers, graphic artist 09916444376
HEADLINES
Ph, Ch vessels collide off Ayungin
By Nidz Godino
"National Task Force for West Philippine Sea condemns in strongest degree latest dangerous, irresponsible, and illegal actions of CCG and Chinese Maritime Militia done this morning, in violation of Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction, and in utter blatant disregard of United Nations Charter, United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Convention on International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea and relevant international maritime conventions, and 2016 Arbitral Award," NTF-WPS said Chinese vessels executing "dangerous blocking maneuvers" collided with Philippine boats en route to deliver supplies to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal,.
NTF-WPS said Unaiza May 2, Armed Forces of the Philippines-contracted supply boat, was on regular rotation and resupply mission to Filipino military detachment manning Sierra Madre at 6:04 in the morning was blocked by China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 5203.
Resupply boat was 13.5 nautical miles east-northeast from grounded warship Sierra Madre when "provocative, irresponsible and illegal action of CCGV 5203 imperiled safety of crew of Unaiza May 2," NTF-WPS said.
China state broadcaster CCTV, citing foreign ministry, said "slight collision" happened after Unaiza May 2 allegedly ignored "multiple warnings and deliberately passed through law enforcement in unprofessional and dangerous manner."
Video released by AFP posted on AFP's official Twitter account, showed bow of CCG ship and stern of resupply vessel briefly touching. Philippine vessel continues on its course, but it is not clear if there was any damage.
In same resupply mission, Chinese Maritime Militia vessel 00003 jolted port side of Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel MRRV 4409 while it was hovering 6.4 nautical miles northeast of Ayungin Shoal.
China has accused PCG vessel of "deliberately" stirring up trouble by reversing in "premeditated manner" into Chinese fishing vessel.
NTF-WPS said resupply missions were still ongoing, with Unaiza May 1 successfully reaching Sierra Madre and delivering supplies to troops stationed in detachment.
Lt. Col Enrico Gil Ileto, chief of the AFP Public Affairs Office, said Unaiza May 2 remained afloat after collision.
China said "responsibility lies entirely with Philippines" for Sunday's incidents.
Task force condemned latest acts of "dangerous, irresponsible and illegal" aggression of CCG and Chinese Maritime Militia.
As China moves ever more confidently to assert its claims to sovereignty over waters, officials and experts have warned of potential for collisions.
"This is exactly kind of event can happen given their dangerous maneuvering," said Jay Batongbacal, director of University of the Philippines' Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea.
Batongbacal said CCG had deliberately hit Philippine resupply vessel to see how Manila would respond and test resolve of Philippines' longtime ally Washington.
"You don't accidentally hit another vessel out in open ocean," Batongbacal told media.
Ayungin Shoal is located about 105 nautical miles from Palawan. China is also claiming shoal, which it calls Ren'ai Jiao.
Federation of Free Workers (FFW) has joined NTF-WPS in denouncing Chinese activities in West Philippine Sea.
"We cannot merely be passive bystanders or unconcerned observers… our responsibility to voice our profound concern and show solidarity with AFP in face of these provocative behaviors," FFW said.
Labor group called for peaceful resolutions to conflicts in West Philippine Sea and emphasized necessity of making resounding and resolute protest in United Nations General Assembly.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri condemned latest abhorrent actions of CCG and Chinese maritime militia at West Philippine Sea.
"I am one with peace-loving Filipinos in strongly condemning these latest abhorrent actions of China Coast Guard and Chinese maritime militia, put in danger lives of our brave countrymen who were on routine resupply mission to our troops in Ayungin Shoal, I reiterate my support for efforts of my colleagues to increase budget for PCG and AFP to better capacitate them in safeguarding our exclusive economic zones from illegal foreign intrusions, as leader of Senate, I will make sure our troops will get sufficient funds under 2024 national budget to bankroll much-needed upgrade of their equipment," Zubiri said.
.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros called on international community to join Philippines' condemnation of China's most recent violence against Filipino people.
"I call on international community to join Philippines' condemnation of China's most recent violence against Filipino people…our nations should not stop fighting for rule of law… only way to have chance at true peace and stability across region and the world,China, tama na…this latest collision is squarely China Coast Guard's fault," Hontiveros stressed
Sen. Francis Tolentino said, "this alone proves China's continued disregard for rules of International Law and basic maritime safety…such incident should be subject to thorough investigation under International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea and Code for Investigation of Marine Casualties and Incidents of International Maritime Organization."
Sen. Jinggoy Estrada said, "these actions not only violate maritime norms and international law but also pose threat to safety and security of the region."
"This incident is no longer acceptable…whether it was accident or not, this is proof of lack of respect for us and lives of our fellow citizens," he added.
No comments:
Post a Comment