Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Tuesday urged the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to pursue diplomatic and legal measures against China following the reported assault of a Philippine Navy officer by members of the China Coast Guard during a resupply mission at Ayungin Shoal.
Pangilinan called on the DFA to file a strong diplomatic protest and raise the incident before the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other international partners.
“Nananawagan tayo sa Department of Foreign Affairs na agad magsumite ng isang matibay na diplomatic protest. Ipabatid ang insidenteng ito sa ASEAN at sa iba pang mga bansang kaalyado natin,” Pangilinan said in a statement Tuesday, July 21.
He also urged the government to use all available legal and diplomatic channels, including the 2016 arbitral ruling under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to hold China accountable.
“At gamitin ang lahat ng ligal at diplomatikong paraan, kabilang ang malinaw na 2016 Arbitral Award. Lahat ng ito upang papanagutin ang China, palakasin ang suporta ng pandaigdigang komunidad, at ipagtanggol ang karapatan ng Pilipinas, ang kaligtasan ng ating mamamayan, at ang kapayapaan sa West Philippine Sea,” he said.
Pangilinan said the Philippines has the right to conduct lawful and peaceful activities within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), including operations in areas recognized under international law as part of Philippine maritime jurisdiction.
He cited the 2016 arbitral award, which rejected the legal basis of China’s expansive nine-dash-line claim over most parts of the West Philippine Sea.
“Nasa bakuran na namin kayo, kayo pa ang may ganang manakit,” Pangilinan said, criticizing the use of force against Filipino personnel.
He added that the assault violated international obligations requiring states to refrain from threats or the use of force.
The senator also emphasized that the arbitral tribunal had ruled Ayungin Shoal as a low-tide elevation within the Philippines’ EEZ and continental shelf, and that China has no recognized “historic rights” that can override Philippine maritime entitlements.
“Nagsalita na ang international tribunal: Isang low-tide elevation sa loob ng EEZ at continental shelf ng Pilipinas ang Ayungin Shoal, at wala kayong anumang ‘historic rights’ o sovereign rights na puwedeng mag-override sa karapatan ng Pilipinas sa mga lugar na ito,” he said.
Pangilinan called on China to stop what he described as harassment and comply with international law and the arbitral ruling, which he said is supported by more than 40 countries.
The call came after a Philippine Navy personnel was injured on Monday following an encounter with China Coast Guard personnel during a resupply mission at Ayungin Shoal, an area located within the Philippines’ EEZ and continental shelf.
The DFA, Department of National Defense (DND), and the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) have condemned the reported attack.
Photo courtesy of PH Senate
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