Senators condemn China's use of water cannons against Philippine vessels

Lawmakers on Sunday condemned the China Coast Guard's (CCG's) obstruction and use of water cannons against Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels that were on their way to the Ayungin Shoal.

A day earlier, the PCG said the CCG used "dangerous maneuvers and illegal use of water cannons" against vessels of the PCG which were escorting indigenous boats to deliver food, water, fuel, and other supplies to military troops stationed on the BRP Sierra Madre.

In separate statements, senators called on the government to heed the recent resolution which seeks to intensify efforts in "asserting and securing" the Philippines’ sovereignty.

The courses of action provided in the resolution included bringing international attention to China's harassment of Filipino fishermen in the Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and utilizing international fora to rally multilateral support for the enforcement of the Hague Ruling.

Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri said the incident is "again a manifestation of its [China's] 'might vs. right' treatment of its peaceful neighbors."

"By its actions, it shows diplomatic duplicity, of preaching about amity, but practicing hostile behavior. Gusto naming makipagkaibigan, pero bakit China ang hirap mong mahalin? (We want to be friends, but China, why is it so hard to love you?" Zubiri said in a statement.

"This incident reaffirms the merit of the resolution the Senate has unanimously passed. Because China contemptuously ignore protests, all the more that we have to rally the world  to condemn acts which have no place in a civilized order," he added.

Senator Risa Hontiveros called on other countries to join the Philippines in condemning the CCG's “dangerous behavior.”

“The Chinese Coast Guard has absolutely no right to block, let alone water cannon, our supply vessels. Wala silang karapatang gutumin ang mga Pilipino sa Ayungin Shoal (They do not have any right to starve the Filipinos in the Ayungin Shoal),” she said.

“China’s repeated provocations are in complete violation of UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award. I call on our regional neighbors and the broader international community to join the Philippines in condemning this dangerous behavior,” she added.

This was echoed by Senator JV Ejercito, who said that the rudeness displayed by the CCG was insulting and intolerable.

“The fact that this incident happened shortly after the Senate of the Philippines approved a resolution seeking to raise China's bullying before the United Nations makes it even more insulting,” he said.

“We cannot let this slip. This is too much already! Nakakapikon na ang Tsina! Sobra na ang pambabastos ng Tsina sa ating Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard, at mga mangingisda. Teritoryo, seguridad, at kapayapaan na ang nakataya rito!” he added.

(China’s rudeness towards the Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard, and our fisherfolk is getting on my nerves. Territory, security, and peace are at stake here!)

Meanwhile, Senator Joel Villanueva said Chinese “bullying” had to stop, as he cited Senate Resolution 79 which condemns such behavior.

“We need to have a strong stance against the continuous harassment of the Chinese Coast Guard on our Philippine Coast Guard — in our very own territory!” said Villanueva.

“Your Senate is always ready to fight for and protect the country’s sovereignty and sovereign rights. We urge the Department of Foreign Affairs to implement the courses of action stipulated in the resolution passed by the Senate to finally put an end to this harassment and bullying by China,” he added.

Senator Jinggoy Estrada said Saturday's incident was "an alarming display of aggression and a violation of maritime norms and international law," adding that "the freedom of navigation is a fundamental principle upheld by the international community, and any attempt to impede the lawful operations of another nation’s vessels in open waters is unacceptable."

"We call on the Chinese authorities to abide by the principles of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and refrain from engaging in any actions that could escalate tensions in the region," he added.

"The Senate has already taken a stance against the repeated bullying and acts of harassment against the PCG. Our government, through the DFA, should seriously consider responding to Senate Resolution 718 and act swiftly. Malinaw na malinaw na hindi nirerespesto ng China ang PCG, ang mga karapatan natin, ang soberanya ng bansa (It is very clear that China does not respect the PCG, our rights, and our sovereignty). Enough is enough," Estrada said.

For his part, Senator Bong Revilla said China and its representative should explain the recent incident.

“China should reconsider their tactics and end these antics if they are sincere in promoting its relationship with the Philippines,” he said.

“The Chinese Ambassador has a lot of explaining to do, and must not shirk away from the obligation to shepherd the maintenance of diplomatic relations, especially with yet another blatant disregard of our autonomy and sovereignty,” he added.

Senator Koko Pimentel on the other hand said the PCG should outwit the CCG on resupply missions.

“Dapat mautakan ng PCG ang CCG (The PCG should outwit the CCG) on our re-supply missions. They should come up with sensible plans behind closed doors," he said.

The Philippines won a 2016 landmark ruling by an international tribunal that invalidated Beijing’s massive South China Sea claims.

China has refused to acknowledge the ruling, with over 50 of its vessels spotted in the vicinity of the Iroquois Reef and Sabina Shoal, as reported by the Western Command earlier this month.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. last November said he called on Chinese officials to uphold international law and follow the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea regarding areas of the South China Sea. — DVM/KG, GMA Integrated News