By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora
MANILA – The United States, Canada and the European Union (EU) expressed concern over the latest actions by the China Coast Guard (CCG) that led to a minor collision and damage of a Filipino civilian vessel while it was conducting a humanitarian mission off Palawan on September 18.
“Canada is concerned by the Chinese Coast Guard deliberately ramming into a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) fisheries enforcement vessel off the coast of the Philippines. These dangerous maneuvers jeopardize regional peace and stability,” the Canadian Embassy in Manila said in a statement on Saturday.
In a post on X, US Ambassador Lee Lipton said Washington DC “strongly condemns” the act and commends the BFAR personnel manning the Filipino vessel for their “sustained professionalism.”
“We strongly condemn the China Coast Guard’s deliberate ramming of the Philippine BFAR vessel near Bombay Shoal, just 54 miles off the coast of Palawan. We commend the sustained professionalism of our Philippine Allies in the face of this dangerous, destabilizing act,” he said.
The EU Delegation in Manila echoed similar sentiments conveying deep concern over the incident.
“Dangerous maneuvers at sea endangers lives. Respect for international law of the sea, as reflected in UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea), and the 2016 Arbitral Award, is key to maritime security and safety,” EU Ambassador to the Philippines Massimo Santoro said.
In a separate statement, the National Maritime Council (NMC) said the “illegal, coercive, aggressive, and dangerous actions of the CCG vessel placed the civilian crew of the BFAR vessel at unnecessary risk while carrying out a legitimate livelihood-support mission.”
“The NMC underscores that safety of life at sea must always come first. All vessels operating in the area are expected to exercise maximum restraint, professional seamanship, and due regard for applicable international maritime safety rules,” it said.
It said the government will continue supporting Filipino fisherfolk while upholding the Philippines’ rights in the West Philippine Sea.
“Our seas are part of our national identity and patrimony. We will continue to support our fisherfolk and government personnel who serve the country at sea, and we will remain steadfast in upholding our lawful rights and national interests in our maritime domain with courage, unity and respect for the rule of law,” the NMC added. (PNA)
