(MANILA BULLETIN) Senators condemned the China Coast Guard’s (CCG) recent “hostile actions” in the recent resupply mission in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal that led to injuries on the part of Filipino troops.
Col. Xerxes Trinidad, chief of the AFP public affairs office confirmed that a member of the Philippine Navy was severely injured when a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel intentionally rammed the supply boats of the AFP that were engaged in a resupply mission at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal on Monday, June 17.
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada said that he was “deeply outraged” and “extremely troubled” by these latest hostile actions by the CCG near Ayungin Shoal.
“This is an unacceptable act of aggression, a direct affront to our sovereignty, and a blatant violation of our rights under international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),” he said in a statement.
He mentioned that the Philippines has consistently sought peaceful and diplomatic means to resolve maritime disputes, adhering to mutual respect and cooperation principles yet the CCG demonstrated a complete disregard for these principles and has engaged in provocative actions to escalate tensions in our territorial waters further.
“I strongly demand that China cease these provocative actions immediately and respect our sovereign rights. Our government will take all necessary measures to protect our people and uphold our national interests,” he said.
“I urge the international community to come together in denouncing this imprudent behavior and to lend their support to our plea for justice and accountability,” he added.