Labis na ikinababahala ng National Maritime Council (NMC) ang panibagong agresibong aksyon ng China Coast Guard (CCG) laban sa mga barko ng Pilipinas sa West Philippine Sea (WPS).
“Appropriate diplomatic actions, multilateral cooperation, and maritime capacity-building will be undertaken and sustained to ensure the safety and effectiveness of Philippine maritime operations.” —NMC.
Ang panibagong harassment, naganap nitong Miyerkules makaraang gitgitin at gamitan ng water cannon ng CCG ang BRP Datu Sanday at BRP Datu Pagbuaya ng Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) na nagsasagawa noon ng pananaliksik sa Sandy Cay 2 sa Pag-asa Island.
Ayon sa NMC, ang ginawa ng CCG ay malinaw na seryosong paglabag sa soberenya ng Pilipinas at sa international law, partikular sa United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Nakalulungkot anila ang mga agresibong aksyon na ito ng China, laban sa routine maritime operations ng Pilipinas na mapayapang ginagawa ng Pilipinas.
“It is deeply regrettable that while the Philippines’ lawful and routine maritime operations have not been provocative, these have been met by a pattern of coercive actions, unsafe conduct and blatant disinformation by Chinese maritime forces.” —NMC.
Sa kabila nito, siniguro ng NMC ang pagtalima ng Pilipinas sa mapayapang kasunduan, kasabay ng paninindigan ng bansa na patuloy pagsusulong ng karapatan at pangangalaga sa maritime interest at gagampanan sa mandato ng mga ahenya gaya ng BFAR.
“The NMC assures the nation that the Philippines remains committed to the peaceful settlement of disputes, but at the same time will continue to exercise its rights, protect its maritime interests, and uphold the mandates of our civilian agencies, like the DA-BFAR, in carrying out their responsibilities in our waters.” —NMC. | ulat ni Racquel Bayan
