THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Monday stated it would persist in confronting unlawful patrols in the South China Sea in an effort to deter China from “normalizing such illicit actions.”
“Should we fail to contest this, China will succeed in establishing a precedent for its maritime forces’ unlawful patrols in the future,” it noted in a statement.
It remarked that the presence of white hull ships in response to China’s intrusions into its waters indicates its goal to manage tensions amicably.
The Philippine Coast Guard emphasized that the employment of its vessels amidst the presence of Chinese ships, including China’s “monster ship” in Manila’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) within the South China Sea, “is not intended to provoke China, but to address disputes through logical dialogue and compliance with international law.”
“Furthermore, it is essential to underline that the positioning of our white hull vessels to counter China’s unlawful presence reflects the government’s intention to defuse tensions and seek a peaceful resolution regarding these violations of international law,” it added.
Last week, the Philippines accused China of menacing Filipino fishermen near Scarborough Shoal and normalizing its “illegal presence” after Beijing deployed its largest coast guard ship into the Philippine EEZ.
China Coast Guard (CCG)-5901 was approximately 175.94 kilometers from the shore of Zambales province as of 9 p.m. on Sunday.
The monster ship, first detected within the Philippine EEZ on Jan. 4, “moved further away” from the PCG vessel Gabriela Silang, the agency stated in a report on Sunday night. It noted another Chinese vessel, CCG-3304, approached the shoreline of Zambales at 120.38 kilometers.
“Despite the monster ship’s departure, it is crucial to mention that CCG-3304, its substitute, remains larger than the biggest PCG vessel,” the Philippine side remarked, referring to the 97-meter multi-role response vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua.
CCG-3304 measures 111 meters in length and 46 meters in width, it noted.
Moreover, the 83-meter French-built BRP Gabriela Silang “continues to diligently execute its patriotic mission of challenging the unlawful presence of the Chinese Coast Guard.”
The Philippine Coast Guard affirmed its obligation to confront illegal patrols “to prevent China from normalizing such unlawful actions.” “If we fail to challenge this, China will succeed in establishing a precedent for its maritime forces’ illegal patrols in the future.”
“Therefore, regardless of how lengthy the process may be, the PCG vessels will consistently be present to deter China from altering the status quo,” it added.
The PCG indicated that China’s “disregard for international law” is a concern not only for the Philippine government but for the entire region and the global community.
“If the People’s Republic of China feels empowered to disregard UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) and illegally patrol the EEZ of other nations, what would prevent it from doing the same to additional countries?” it queried.
“While some may contend they are ready to defend their rights, isn’t that exactly what we are striving to avert?” it added.
“A world increasingly characterized by escalating tensions among sovereign states is not our aspiration. This is why international law has been put in place — to guarantee fairness and uphold the sovereignty of all nations.”
A tribunal supported by the United Nations in 2016 nullified China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea, as it determined Scarborough Shoal, controlled by Beijing since 2012, is a traditional fishing ground for Filipino, Chinese, and Vietnamese fishers.
The shoal, which Manila refers to as Bajo de Masinloc, is located 241 kilometers from Zambales and lies within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile EEZ. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza