The China Coast Guard’s use of water cannons against the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ (BFAR) BRP Datu Gumbay Piang is yet another blatant display of China’s disregard for international law, our sovereign rights, and the safety of our countrymen. Such hostile actions have no place in the civilized world.
This must be denounced without equivocation. Atin ang Bajo de Masinloc, kaya’t may karapatan ang ating mga tripulante na magsagawa ng misyon para sa ating mga mangingisda. Hindi mabubura ng kanilang paggigipit at pananakot ang katotohanang nasa panig natin ang batas at kinatigan tayo ng Arbitral Tribunal sa pagtatanggol ng ating mga karapatan.
I urge the international community to take serious note of this latest provocation, which left the BRP Datu Gumbay Piang damaged and injured one crew member. I likewise call on our government to pursue all necessary diplomatic and legal measures, and to stand firmly with the crew of the BRP Datu Gumbay Piang. Their courage reflects our collective resolve to never yield an inch of what is rightfully ours.