NMC: PH keen on resolving WPS issues diplomatically

The Marcos administration is keen on continuing to resolve territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) through diplomatic means, the National Maritime Council (NMC) said on Thursday.

NMC Undersecretary Alexander Lopez made the remarks following Beijing's recent acts of aggressions in Escoda Shoal (Sabina Shoal), and Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), wherein a Chinese Navy warship was involved in shadowing Filipino vessels.

"Very clear ang ating Presidente na lahat ng dispute, conflict situations ay gagawin natin sa peaceful o diplomatic actions and mechanisms," Lopez told PTV-4's Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.

(Our President is clear that all disputes and conflict situations should be resolved diplomatically.)

The NMC official reiterated that this is the first time a People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warship sailed near Filipino ships and participated in the aggressive displays by Chinese vessels, sending a "chilling effect" to civilian vessels.

Despite these provocations, the NMC official said the Philippines will not follow China's actions.

"We might as well put our navy vessels far away but we're trying to monitor their activities," said Lopez.

"Hindi natin pwedeng ilapit 'yun kasi maggigirian lang. It will escalate the situation," he added.

(We cannot deploy it because it might lead to the escalation of the situation.)

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it will file a diplomatic protest against the latest Chinese aggression in the disputed region.

On Wednesday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said the China Coast Guard (CCG) launched water cannon attacks and rammed a vessel of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) that was on a maritime patrol in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc.

CCG 3302 fired a water cannon at BFAR vessel BRP Datu Pagbuaya (MMOV 3003) at around 6:30 a.m. The Chinese ship then "intentionally sideswiped the BRP Datu Pagbuaya on its starboard side," following up with a second water cannon attack at 6:55 a.m.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila said Philippine vessels had attempted to intrude into Chinese territorial waters off Huangyan Dao, China's name for Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal. It claimed that CCG forces had acted lawfully to control the situation.

Over the weekend, the CCG also conducted dangerous maneuvers against PCG vessels in the vicinity of Escoda Shoal as the Filipino vessels BRP Cape Engaño and BRP Melchora Aquino were on their way to Rozul Reef to assist Filipino fishermen who were earlier harassed by CCG.

Last month, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Friday signed two landmark laws that aim to define the Philippines' maritime zones as well as the archipelagic sea laws.

China promptly summoned the Philippines' ambassador to express its objection to two new laws, asserting maritime rights and sovereignty over disputed areas of the South China Sea, Beijing's foreign ministry said.

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

In 2016, an international arbitration tribunal in Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis." China has not recognized the decision. —RF, GMA Integrated News