The United States on Monday strongly condemned what it called "dangerous maneuvers" by the Chinese Coast Guard against Philippine Coast Guard ships that had been maneuvering in the West Philippine Sea.
The US Ambassador to the Philippines, MaryKay Loss Carlson, said she staunchly stood with the Philippines: "The US stands with the Philippines in condemning the China Coast Guard's dangerous manoeuvres near Sabina Shoal that endangered lives and caused damage to two Philippine Coast Guard vessels. We are committed to supporting the rights of our friends-partners-allies under international law."
¨ A statement from the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea noted that the PCG vessels BRP Bagacay and BRP Cape Engano were "confronted successively by unlawful and aggressive manoeuvres" of Chinese Coast Guard vessels while on their way to Patag and Lawak Islands. Collisions occurred that caused structural damage to BRP Bagacay and BRP Cape Engano vessels.
NTF-WPS spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said the incident happened around 3:24 a.m. while BRP Cape Engano was navigating some 23.01 nautical miles southeast of Escoda Shoal when it was rammed at its deck by CCGV-3104, creating a puncture that was around 5 inches in diameter.
It called for restraint and full accordance with international maritime laws, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, to not further exacerbate the situation and provide safety to all vessels in its environs.
Malaya, who is also a Assistant Director General in the Philippines' National Security Council, said he was saddened by the incident that came after developments last week that led to the easing of tension with Beijing over Ayungin Shoal. The spokesman was quoted as saying that Philippines regrets the incident because it happened despite an earlier agreement aimed at creating more favorable atmosphere in relations between the Philippines and China.
Nonetheless, said vessels proceeded with their mission and completed the delivery of the necessary supplies to the personnel deployed at Patag and Lawak Islands. The Philippine Coast Guard remains steadfast in its service to the Filipino people and the protection of the interest of the nation in the maritime domain, irrespective of the form of threats.
It was taken as part of a pattern of Chinese provocations in the South China Sea directed against the Philippines, with the United States denouncing and viewing the incident as contempt by Beijing toward the safety of the Filipinos and international law. US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller emphasized that the international tribunal ruling in 2016 invalidates China's claims to maritime areas surrounding the Second Thomas Shoal, thereby imposing a binding nature to the decision on both countries.
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