The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) stated Sunday the China Coast Guard (CCG) illegally used water cannons in opposition to its vessels going to Ayungin Shoal on Saturday for a resupply mission on the BRP Sierra Madre.
In an announcement, PCG condemned CCG’s “dangerous maneuvers and illegal use of water cannons” in opposition to their vessels escorting the indigenous boats chartered by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to ship meals, water, gas, and different provides to navy troops stationed on BRP Sierra Madre.
“The PCG calls on the China Coast Guard to restrain its forces, respect the sovereign rights of the Philippines in its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, refrain from hampering freedom of navigation, and take appropriate actions against the individuals involved in this unlawful incident,” PCG Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela stated.
It confused that CCG’s transfer not solely disregarded the protection of the PCG crew and the provision boats, but additionally violated worldwide regulation, together with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the 1972 Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS), and the 2016 Arbitral Award.
“We ask that China Coast Guard, as an organization with a responsibility to observe state obligations under UNCLOS, COLREGs, and other relevant instruments of international maritime safety and security, to cease all illegal activities within the maritime zones of the Philippines,” Tarriela added. —KG, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
