Philippines files diplomatic protest over Panatag Shoal incident

The Philippines has filed with China a diplomatic protest over the close distance maneuvering incident involving a Chinese Coast Guard vessel in waters off the Panatag Shoal, a top security official said on Tuesday.

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon so announced after the Philippine Coast Guard on Sunday reported the incident  which happened well within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

“Tapos na. Nag-file na kami ng diplomatic protest du'n, ” Esperon said.

(It's done. We already filed a diplomatic protest for that incident.)

The PCG has said that the “a close distance maneuvering” incident with the CCG vessel happened on March 2 during a maritime patrol operation.

Maneuvering space

CCG's vessel (3305) moved approximately 21 yards towards BRP Malabrigo (MRRV-4402) in the waters of Bajo de Masinloc (Panatag Shoal) during the incident, the PCG said.

BRP Malabrigo's maneuvering space was constrained by the CCG vessel's action in violation of the 1972 International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.

According to the PCG Commandant CG Admiral Artemio Abu, it was the fourth reported close distance maneuvering incident involving CCG vessels in Bajo de Masinloc.

“The behavior of the involved CCG vessels increased the risk of collision with four of our capital ships," Abu said.

"Hence, we immediately coordinated with the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to address this issue through rules-based and peaceful approaches,” he added.

China territory?

China on Monday said that it had sovereign rights over Panatag Shoal.

“Huangyan Dao is China’s inherent territory. China has sovereignty over Huangyan Dao and its adjacent waters as well as sovereign rights and jurisdiction over relevant waters,” Wang said, referring to Panatag with its Chinese name.

Wang urged the PCG to “earnestly respect” China’s claim to the waters.

“We hope that the Philippine ships will earnestly respect China’s sovereignty and rights and interests, abide by China’s domestic law and international law, and avoid interfering with the patrol and law enforcement of the China Coast Guard in the above-mentioned waters,” Wang said. —Mel Matthew Doctor/NB, GMA News