The Philippines has raised concerns over China's commitment to de-escalating tensions in the West Philippine Sea following recent incidents involving Chinese forces, including a ramming and water cannon attack near the Escoda Shoal.
In a statement released on Monday, the National Maritime Council (NMC) criticized the "repeated aggressive, unprofessional, and illegal actions" of Chinese maritime forces against Philippine vessels and aircraft over the past week.
"The fact that these provocative and dangerous actions occurred within the span of a week is alarming and casts doubt on China's claimed commitment to de-escalate the situation and foster a conducive environment for dialogue and consultation," the NMC stated.
The NMC stressed that the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) was conducting lawful activities within its mandate. It also highlighted that Manila has not provoked Beijing, which has instead engaged in "deliberate and intentional harassment and intimidation to interfere with Philippine sovereign operations and endanger the safety of Filipinos aboard Philippine vessels and aircraft."
The NMC further criticized China's actions, labeling them a "wanton disregard" for the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, which invalidated China's sweeping territorial claims in the region.
The Philippines reiterated its determination to continue lawful operations and to expose any illegal presence and violations by Chinese vessels and aircraft within its maritime zones. "The Philippines will never waver in exercising its sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction, and defending its maritime and archipelagic interests consistent with international law," the NMC added.
The Philippine government also pledged to pursue diplomatic solutions to the ongoing maritime disputes and called on Beijing to return to constructive dialogue over the West Philippine Sea.
Additional incidents were reported, including Chinese forces firing flares at a BFAR aircraft near Zamora Reef on three occasions last week. Armed Forces Chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. described the incident as a further escalation of China's aggressive behavior.
Speaker Martin Romualdez condemned China's actions, urging Beijing to engage in peaceful negotiations to resolve West Philippine Sea issues. "We condemn in the strongest terms these reckless and dangerous maneuvers by the China Coast Guard on our vessels," Romualdez said, emphasizing that the areas in question are within the Philippines' 200-mile exclusive economic zone as defined by UNCLOS.
The Federation of Free Workers Women Network (FWN) also condemned the latest series of Chinese provocations, calling them "blatant acts of aggression" and "unacceptable in a civilized society." FWN President Ma. Victoria Garson Bellosillo described the actions as a "direct attack on our sovereignty."
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