By Macon Ramos Araneta
“So we can do that, temporarily recall our ambassador to Beijing to send a strong message that what (thee Chinese) have done is a serious violation of our rights to conduct a resupply mission for the BRP Sierra Madre,” said Sen. Francis Tolentino.
The recall, he emphasized, will also a send a strong level of condemnation on the continuing aggression of the Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
However, Tolentino said this does not mean severing diplomatic relations with China. He cited hundreds of diplomatic protests filed by the Philippines to China. “I counted and there were at least six very violent incidents (that happened in the WPS),” said Tolentino.
He said this is a sign of protest to the recent water cannoning by Chinese Coast Guard on a Philippine vessel on a resupply mission in the West Philippine Sea last November 10.
He also cited that Iran recalled their ambassador to Saudi Arabia following tensed bilateral relations. He said Malacañang should consider doing the same with Jaime FlorCruz, the Philippine representative in China.
The senator said the embassy in Beijing would still be open to issue visas and allow consular officers to work. He clarified that only the ambassador will be recalled.
But still, he said it is the DFA that will decide on what we should do next.
Sen. Jinggoy Estrada urged DFA Sec. Enrique Manalo to direct FlorCruz to return to the country for consultation on the course of action in seeking redress for the persistent challenges the country faces in the WPS.
“We must remain steadfast in resorting to diplomatic tools to convey the seriousness of our concerns and in our unwavering commitment to engage them in a peaceful and constructive dialogue,” said Estrada.
If all else fails, he said the DFA can consider adopting the courses of action that the Senate made in its adopted Resolution number 79 which includes:
- Bringing international attention to China’s harassment of Filipino fishermen in the Philippine EEZ and its continued violation of the Hague Ruling and the UNCLOS,
- Utilizing international fora to rally multilateral support for the enforcement of the Hague Ruling and raise awareness on the real situation in the West Philippine Sea,
- Engaging like-minded countries in various international organizations, meetings, and other fora to call on China to respect the Hague Ruling and the UNCLOS; and subject to necessity and prudence,
- Filing a Resolution before the United Nations General Assembly, to call for the cessation of all activities that harass Philippine vessels and violate the Philippines’ established rights in the West Philippine Sea.
Meanwhile, Senate Committee on National Defense Vice-chairman Sen. Christopher Go lashed back at Chinese Coast Guard spokesperson Gan Yu for his statement that they “followed the Philippine ships in accordance with law, took necessary control measures, and made temporary special arrangements for the Philippine side to transport food and other daily necessities.”
He questioned the inconsistencies in China’s stance saying, “how can they speak of the rule of law while simultaneously violating international norms?”
The Chinese Coast Guard reportedly fired a water cannon at a Philippine boat delivering supplies to Filipino troops stationed at a remote outpost in Ayungin Shoal on Friday, November 10.
“This brazen behavior in our territorial waters is not only a blatant disregard of international maritime laws but also a direct challenge to the sovereign rights of our nation,” Go added.
The National Task Force-West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) disclosed that the Chinese Coast Guard and Maritime Militia obstructed and harassed the Philippine resupply ships heading to Ayungin Shoal’s BRP Sierra Madre outpost. They employed dangerous tactics, including using a water cannon on the M/L Kalayaan supply vessel and harassing other boats with rigid-hulled inflatable boats.
Despite these provocations, the Philippine vessels completed their mission.
The Philippine Embassy in Beijing and the Department of Foreign Affairs have protested to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, demanding the withdrawal of Chinese vessels from Ayungin Shoal, which is part of the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone.
Previously, Go also strongly condemned the aggressive action by a Chinese Coast Guard vessel in the West Philippine Sea, following its collision with an Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)-contracted resupply boat, the Unaiza May 2, on October 22.
He also previously denounced similar aggressive acts by the Chinese in the region, notably when a Chinese coast guard vessel employed water cannons against a Filipino boat trying to deliver supplies to the BRP Sierra Madre, which is grounded at Ayungin Shoal, and another involving the use of a military-grade laser against a Philippine Coast Guard vessel.
To further improve the country’s maritime capabilities, Go has filed Senate Bill number 2112, or the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Modernization Bill. The proposed bill seeks to upgrade the PCG’s assets and resources, to enable the service to carry out its duties and responsibilities more effectively. Its main goal is to upgrade the PCG’s vessels, aircraft, and equipment to meet international standards.
