An aerial photo from a diplomatic source shows a China Coast Guard vessel shooting a powerful stream of water at a boat operated by the Philippine Navy. (File picture dated August 6, 2023)
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� Senators denounced the incursion of China in the West Philippine Sea, saying its bullying tactics against Filipino-manned vessels are evident.
A Philippine Coast Guard vessel and a Chinese Coast Guard ship collided on Tuesday during China鈥檚 鈥渄angerous maneuvers鈥� in Philippine waters.
In another incident after the collision, China鈥檚 ship also attacked a Philippine vessel on a mission to bring supplies to troops in the grounded BRP Sierra Madre.
In separate statements on Tuesday, three senators aired their views on these events.
Senator Jinggoy Estrada said the Philippines鈥� resupply missions do not give China the power to harass and put Filipino-manned vessels in danger.
鈥淢akailang beses nang nangyari ang mga ganitong banggaan sa karagatan na kinasasangkutan ng barko ng PCG at ng China Coast Guard, kasama ang ilang Chinese militia vessels,鈥� said Estrada.
(Collisions involving the vessels of the PCG and China Coast Guard, along with Chinese militia vessels, have happened numerous times.)
鈥淢alinaw ang mga bullying tactics nila sa ating mga sasakyang pandagat at sa mga pagkakataong ito, kailanman ay hindi tayo naging banta sa kanilang seguridad,鈥� he emphasized.
(Their bullying tactics on our vessels are clear, and in these instances, we have never been a threat to their security.)
Estrada then called on China to respect international maritime laws and cease its bullying tactics.
鈥淪uch provocative actions are unacceptable,鈥� he stressed.
The senator heads the Senate committee on defense.
Senator Grace Poe, on the other hand, stressed the Philippines must not let the instances of harassment and attacks against Filipinos pass.
鈥淲e denounce the latest unlawful and dangerous actions by the Chinese Coast Guard that led to the collision with a Philippine vessel and the latter鈥檚 damage,鈥� said Poe.
鈥淭he water cannon attack against our ship on a peaceful resupply mission is deplorable and must stop,鈥� she added.
Poe emphasized the Philippines will stand firm that resupply missions inside the Philippine territory are 鈥渓egal and must not be disrupted by intruders.鈥�
PCG earlier bared the collision transpired during the 鈥渞otation and reprovisioning operation鈥� of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea on Tuesday.
PGG Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said PCG vessels faced and blocking from Chinese Coast Guard vessels and the Chinese maritime militia.
The collision caused 鈥渕inor structural damage鈥� to a PCG vessel, he revealed.
Additionally, Senator JV Ejercito said he is outraged by China鈥檚 recent blatant aggression in the West Philippine Sea.
鈥淐hinese vessels鈥� recent reckless maneuvers and blocking tactics at Ayungin Shoal are clear signs of desperate attempt[s] to unlawfully seize Philippine territory. Hence, China鈥檚 delusion that the West Philippine Sea belongs to them must be put to an end,鈥� Ejercito emphasized.
He also claimed that the Philippines upholds peaceful resolution of disputes in adherence to international law, but China鈥檚 aggression 鈥渙ften deviate[s] from these principles.鈥�
With this, Ejercito saw the need to expedite the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. According to him, doing so could strengthen the country鈥檚 defense posture and ensure the safety of Filipinos.