MANILA — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) condemned the China Coast Guard (CCG) for what it called “illegal, coercive, aggressive and dangerous acts” after a Chinese vessel collided with and damaged a Philippine fisheries enforcement ship conducting a humanitarian mission well within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the West Philippine Sea.
The collision involving the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ BRP Datu Magat Salamat occurred about 54 nautical miles off Palawan, placing the incident within the Philippines’ EEZ.
The Philippine vessel was carrying out a routine mission to assist Filipino fisherfolk in the West Philippine Sea when the encounter occurred.
“There is no justification for the CCG vessel to undertake aggressive actions against a Philippine civilian law enforcement vessel, and cause damage to the ship and endanger the safety of the civilian crew,” the DFA said in a statement.
The collision left visible damage on the BFAR vessel, which had been deployed to support Filipino fisherfolk in the contested waters.
The DFA said the actions attributed to the CCG violated international maritime obligations, citing the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the 2016 Arbitral Award, the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea and the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea.
“The CCG vessel’s illegal, coercive, aggressive and dangerous acts are inconsistent with China’s obligations under international law,” it said.
Under UNCLOS, a coastal state generally has sovereign rights over natural resources within its EEZ, which may extend up to 200 nautical miles from its baselines. The Philippines maintains that the 2016 Arbitral Award affirmed key Philippine maritime entitlements in the South China Sea and rejected the legal basis for China’s expansive claims to historic rights within its so-called nine-dash line.
The DFA called on Beijing to respect Philippine sovereign rights and jurisdiction within the country’s EEZ and prevent further incidents that could heighten tensions in the disputed waters.
“The Philippines calls on China to respect Philippine sovereign rights within its exclusive economic zone in accordance with UNCLOS as affirmed by the 2016 Arbitral Award, exercise restraint and avoid actions that could further escalate tensions in the region,” it said.
The collision came a day after the same BFAR vessel encountered trouble at Hasa-Hasa Shoal.
On September 17, the BRP Datu Magat Salamat ran aground while approaching Filipino fishing boats to deliver fuel assistance.
The latest incident adds to recurring confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea, where Manila continues to assert maritime rights it says are guaranteed under UNCLOS and reinforced by the 2016 Arbitral Award.
The Philippines has maintained that the arbitral ruling is final and binding and remains a cornerstone of its maritime policy. China has rejected the ruling and maintains competing claims in the South China Sea./PN
