(Photo courtesy of PCG)
The United States, Canada and the European Union have expressed concern over the latest actions of the China Coast Guard after a Philippine civilian vessel was damaged in a collision off Palawan on Sept. 18.
The incident involved the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel BRP Datu Magat Salamat, which was conducting a humanitarian mission for Filipino fisherfolk when it was struck by a China Coast Guard vessel about 54 nautical miles from Palawan, according to Philippine authorities.
The Canadian Embassy in Manila said it was concerned over what it described as the deliberate ramming of the BFAR vessel, warning that such maneuvers could undermine regional peace and stability.
US Ambassador Lee Lipton also condemned the incident and praised the Filipino crew for maintaining professionalism during the encounter.
The European Union, meanwhile, stressed the importance of maritime safety and respect for international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 arbitral ruling. EU Ambassador Massimo Santoro is the bloc’s representative in the Philippines.
The National Maritime Council likewise condemned the China Coast Guard’s actions, saying the incident placed the BFAR crew at unnecessary risk while they were carrying out a livelihood-support mission.
The Department of Foreign Affairs separately said there was no justification for the Chinese vessel’s actions and called on China to respect Philippine sovereign rights within the country’s exclusive economic zone and avoid conduct that could further escalate tensions.
The Philippine government said it would continue supporting Filipino fisherfolk and government personnel operating in the West Philippine Sea while asserting the country’s maritime rights under international law.
