(UPDATE) On Sunday morning, a China Coast Guard (CCG) ship rammed a Philippine boat, the Unaiza May 1, that was delivering supplies to Filipino troops stationed on the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal. This incident occurred just hours after three vessels of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and several Philippine fishing boats were subjected to “illegal and aggressive actions” by CCG and Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) ships off Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea.
According to United States-based security expert Ray Powell, who has been monitoring the situation, the incident involved the Unaiza May 1 and the CCG ship 21556. Powell also reported that the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels BRP Cabra and BRP Sindangan were escorting the Unaiza May 1 and another boat, the Kalayaan, during the resupply mission.
The Philippine convoy encountered a blockading force of 14 Chinese militia ships and two CCG vessels, as reported by Powell. Prior to the ramming incident, three CCG ships and four People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy vessels had already fired water cannons at the supply convoy. The Sindangan was closely engaged with the militia ship Qiong Sansha Yu 00012, while the CCG 5305 and two other militia vessels encircled the Sindangan about 13.5 kilometers from the entrance to the Ayungin Shoal.
The Chinese ships maneuvered dangerously close to the Philippine vessels that were approaching Ayungin, posing a serious threat to their safety. The CCG 5204 even fired a water cannon at the Kalayaan, causing damage to its engines and rendering it disabled. The Sindangan had to tow the Kalayaan back to Ulugan Bay, Palawan. The Chinese ship also targeted the Cabra, damaging its mast with the water cannon.
The National Task Force-West Philippine Sea (NTFWPS) condemned China’s “unprovoked acts of coercion and dangerous maneuvers,” emphasizing that Ayungin Shoal lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf, as recognized by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) and the 2016 arbitral award. The arbitral court in The Hague issued the landmark ruling after the Philippines challenged China’s territorial claim over the South China Sea.
In response to China’s claims, the NTFWPS stated that Ayungin Shoal, being a low tide elevation, cannot be subject to a sovereignty claim or appropriation under international law. Therefore, China cannot lawfully exercise sovereignty over it. The task force expressed concern over China’s deliberate dissemination of disinformation through official channels, distorting the facts on the ground.
The task force also raised doubts about China’s sincerity in calling for peaceful dialogue, given its systematic and consistent illegal actions. The China Coast Guard, on the other hand, accused the Philippine boat of deliberately colliding with their vessel after disregarding multiple stern warnings. The CCG claimed that the Philippine boat changed direction suddenly in an unprofessional and dangerous manner, causing a scrape between the two vessels. Furthermore, the CCG alleged that the Philippine vessels were attempting to deliver construction materials to the illegally beached Sierra Madre.
Prior to this incident, a civilian convoy embarked on a trip that was meant to pass Second [missing context].
It is crucial to address these escalating tensions in the West Philippine Sea and ensure the safety of Filipino troops and fishermen who rely on these waters for their livelihood. The international community must continue to uphold the principles of international law and support a peaceful resolution to the disputes in the region.
Source: The Manila Times
