SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Sunday strongly condemned the recent aggressive actions by the China Coast Guard (CCG) against three vessels of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in the West Philippine Sea.
At the same time, Speaker Romualdez expressed disappointment at China’s rejection of the House of Representatives resolution denouncing its “illegal actions” in the WPS.
Speaker Romualdez pointed out that the attack on civilian BFAR vessels Datu Sanday, Datu Bankaw, and Datu Tamblot, which were on a crucial humanitarian mission on Saturday,
is considered a blatant violation of international norms and a direct challenge to the sovereignty and rights of the Philippines.
“The use of water cannons and long-range acoustic devices against our vessels, causing significant damage and distress to our crew, is unacceptable and unjustifiable,” Speaker Romualdez, the leader of the 300-plus strong House of Representatives, asserted.
“These actions by the [CCG], in preventing our vessels from conducting a peaceful resupply mission to Filipino fishermen near Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), demonstrate a brazen disrespect for the rule of law and established international agreements,” he added.
Speaker Romualdez underscored the importance of reminding the international community that Bajo de Masinloc lies within the Philippines’ 370-km exclusive economic zone, as established by the 2016 arbitral ruling, which China continues to ignore.
“The acts of intimidation and harassment against Filipino fisherfolk, who depend on these waters for their livelihood, are not only a violation of their rights but also an affront to human dignity. To prevent the distribution of humanitarian support is not only illegal but also inhumane,” the Speaker said.
Demanding immediate and concrete actions from Beijing to cease these aggressive activities, Speaker Romualdez reaffirmed the Philippines’ stance on sovereignty and jurisdiction over Bajo de Masinloc and its territorial sea.
“We will not be intimidated nor will we stand down in the face of these unwarranted and illegal actions,” the Speaker declared.
The Speaker called on China to respect the sovereignty of the Philippines, desist from actions that infringe upon it, and engage in peaceful dialogue to resolve disputes.
“The Philippines, as a sovereign nation, will continue to defend its rights and protect the interests of its people. We stand in solidarity with our fishermen and reiterate our unwavering commitment to safeguarding our national territory and maritime entitlements,” he said.
“Let this incident be a reminder to the international community of the urgent need to uphold and respect international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and to support nations in defending their sovereign rights,” he added.
Meanwhile, Speaker Romualdez issued a strong and unequivocal response to a statement by Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin, categorically dismissing House Resolution (HR) No. 1494, claiming it “groundlessly criticized, misrepresented and smeared China.”
The Romualdez-led chamber had earlier approved HR 1494, condemning China’s activities in the WPS and urging the government to defend sovereign rights over the country’s exclusive economic zone. The resolution explicitly cited the 2016 arbitral ruling upholding the Philippines’ right over the WPS under the UNCLOS.
“China’s rejection of the resolution is disheartening, especially in light of its continued illegal activities in the West Philippine Sea, a clear violation of the Arbitral Award,” Speaker Romualdez stated.
He maintained that China’s construction of artificial islands and militarization of the area, as detailed in the resolution, “demonstrates a disregard for international law and poses a threat to regional stability.”
Despite the ongoing harassment, Speaker Romualdez emphasized the Philippines’ commitment to diplomatic solutions, having filed over 400 diplomatic protests against China.
“Our nation, a firm believer and advocate of the Rule of Law, will continue to use diplomatic tools to address Chinese aggression,” the House chief said.
Speaker Romualdez also reiterated the unwavering dedication of the House to protecting Philippine rights and sovereignty in the WPS.
“We fully support our troops and coast guard patrolling our exclusive economic zone against China’s vessels, ensuring the rights of our fishermen. The House is committed to enhancing our defense posture in the WPS through legislation, utilizing Congress’ power of the purse. We assure our Philippine Coast Guard and Navy of the necessary support they need,” Speaker Romualdez said.
The Speaker ended the statement with a call on China “to respect our sovereignty, desist from infringing upon our rights, and engage in peaceful dialogue.”
“The Philippines remains steadfast in defending its rights and protecting the interests of its people,” he concluded.
