PH condemns Ayungin collision incident; asks China to act 'responsibly'

The Philippines on Wednesday condemned the collision incident involving a Chinese ship and a Filipino vessel that resulted in the severe injury of a Philippine Navy serviceman during a rotation and resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal.

In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs said, "The DFA denounces the illegal and aggressive actions of Chinese authorities that resulted in personnel injury and vessel damage.

As it expressed grave concern over the June 17 incident, the DFA said that it has been exerting efforts to rebuild a conducive environment for dialogue and consultation with China with regard to issues on the South China Sea.

However, this could not be achieved, the DFA said, if "China's words do not match their actions on the waters."

The department reiterated its call for China to respect the Philippines' sovereign rights over the area.

"We expect China to act sincerely and responsibly, and refrain from behavior that puts to risk the safety of personnel and vessels," the DFA said.

"We reiterate our call for China to adhere to international law, especially UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award, and respect the Philippines' sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in our own waters," it added.

GMA News Online has requested comment from the Chinese Embassy in Manila regarding the matter, but it has yet to provide a comment as of posting time.

According to a report by GMA Integrated News' Joseph Morong, seven Filipinos were hurt including one who lost a thumb amid China's aggressive action in Ayungin Shoal.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday confirmed that a Philippine Navy servicemember who was hurt in a collision during the Ayungin Shoal mission sustained a "severe injury" in the incident.

The Pentagon also denounced China's recent actions against Filipino troops, saying that this kind of behavior was provocative, reckless, and unnecessary. According to Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder, Washington will continue to support its ally, Manila.

Monday's incident was the first reported collision between Philippine and Chinese vessels since China implemented an administrative law enforcement procedure mandating the arrest of "foreign" vessels in their claimed territory in the South China Sea.

According to the China Coast Guard, the Philippine supply ship dangerously approached the Chinese ship.

The Ayungin Shoal, which China calls Ren'ai Reef, is located 105 nautical miles west of Palawan and is within the country's 200-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei.

To recall, the Philippine government sued China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in 2013. The Court ruled in favor of the Philippines in July 2016 when it junked China's nine-dash claim over the South China Sea.

Beijing has since ignored this ruling. — VDV, GMA Integrated News