ILOILO City – The Ilonggo Lawyers for Leni condemned the latest “unprovoked, unlawful, and intrusive” actions of the Chinese government through its coast guard vessels against Philippine supply ships and their crew in the Ayungin Shoal within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
In a statement, the group said the Chinese harassment and active prevention of Philippine efforts to resupply its outpost in the Ayungin Shoal is an affront to Philippine sovereign rights in the WPS as settled by the July 2016 arbitral ruling.
“The Chinese Coast Guard has no authority nor sovereign rights, to enter and enforce their country’s laws in our maritime zones. The Arbitral Tribunal has already settled these matters with finality, and it is incumbent upon China, as a member of the community of nations, to respect and uphold international law by observing and honoring the Arbitral Tribunal’s ruling,” the group stressed.
They also backed Foreign Affairs secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. for rebuking the Chinese actions.
The group further urged candidates in the May 2022 elections, particularly those running for president and vice president, to ensure that China is held accountable for its Coast Guard’s “unlawful, reckless, and provocative” actions against Philippine ships, and against Philippine sovereignty in WPS.
“We embolden them to make it their top priority to enforce and uphold Philippine sovereign rights over all areas within our exclusive economic zone and resist Chinese aggression and military adventurism in the WPS,” the group added.
Mayor Jerry Treñas, a lawyer, said, “We cannot let these incidents go and forgotten. All possible diplomatic actions must be done by our officials. Furthermore, these calls for a bilateral support from all our allies who respect and uphold the arbitral award in our favor,” said Treñas./PN
