DFA to file protest over China's recent harassment of PH vessels in WPS
The Philippines, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, is set to file a diplomatic protest over the recent harassment of the China Coast Guard on Philippine vessels around Pag-asa Island.
DFA spokesperson Angelica Escalona confirmed on Sunday the agency's intention to voice a protest against China over its Coast Guard's use of water cannons against three Philippine vessels, as well as its deliberate ramming of one.
According to reports, three vessels of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources—Datu Pagbuaya, Datu Sanday, and Datu Bangkaw—were anchored the morning of Oct. 12 in the waters off Pag-asa Island. The ships were protecting Filipino fishermen as part of the government's "Kadiwa para sa Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda" program.
Several vessels of the CCG and the country's maritime militia then came into the island's territorial sea. After issuing some radio challenges, at least two CCG ships fired water cannons at the Philippine vessels. CCG vessel 21559 then "deliberately rammed" the stern of Datu Pagbuaya, according to Philippine Coast Guard Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela.
BRP Datu Pagbuaya sustained some structural damage, but the crew was safe from injuries.
"The Philippines will undertake the appropriate diplomatic action to convey its strong objections to the aggressive and illegal actions of China, and urges it to immediately cease these actions, respect international law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award, and avoid further escalation in the region,” the National Maritime Council said in a statement on Sunday.
"Despite these bullying tactics and aggressive actions, the PCG and BFAR remain resolute. We will not be intimidated or driven away, as our presence in the Kalayaan Island Group is crucial for protecting the rights and livelihoods of Filipino fishermen," said Tarriela in a statement published on X.
The latest incident in the WPS involving the China Coast Guard occurred on Sept. 16 near Scarborough Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc), when a Chinese vessel fired a water cannon on a BFAR vessel, injuring a Filipino crew member.
Since the beginning of the year, the DFA has lodged at least 30 diplomatic protests over China's reckless and provoking actions in the West Philippine Sea.