Philippines Challenges China to Pursue Arbitration Following Water Cannon Incident
Footage released by the Philippine military shows two Chinese coast guard ships hitting the wooden-hulled boat with high-pressure sprays.
The defense chief of the Philippines has challenged China to bring its maritime sovereignty claims in the South China Sea to international arbitration following the recent water cannon attack by Chinese coast guard vessels.
This incident marked the second time within a month that the vessel, Unaizah May 4, had been harmed by a Chinese coast guard water cannon assault. A previous confrontation on March 5 also led to injuries among the crew members.
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro condemned the attacks and emphasized that Beijing should address its maritime claims in accordance with international laws instead of resorting to attacking Philippine vessels.
“If China is confident in their claims, why not seek arbitration under international law?” Mr. Teodoro stated during a press briefing on March 25.
“No country recognizes [their claims], and they view this as an attempt to utilize force, intimidate, and coerce the Philippines into pursuing their ambitions.”
Related Stories
The Unaizah May 4 vessel was delivering supplies and transporting Filipino sailors to a territorial outpost in the shoal when it was blocked and surrounded by China Coast Guard ships and suspected militia vessels.
“China’s aggressive actions call into question its sincerity in lowering the tensions and promoting peace and stability in the South China Sea,” the ministry said in a statement.
“Even as the Philippines continues to engage China in dialogue and diplomacy at the bilateral and multilateral levels, China’s aggressive actions contradict and put to waste ASEAN–China efforts to promote practical activities to foster peace and cooperation in the region.”
The Second Thomas Shoal, known as Ayungin Shoal in the Philippines and Renai Reef in China, is situated approximately 105 nautical miles from the Palawan Province of the Philippines, placing it under Philippine jurisdiction.
US Voices Support for Philippines
U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller mentioned in a statement that the United States “stands with its ally the Philippines” and denounces the “dangerous actions” of the Chinese vessels in the South China Sea.
He cautioned Beijing that any attack on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, and aircraft in the South China Sea would trigger a U.S. mutual defense treaty with the Philippines.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
