KALAYAAN Island, Palawan – Local residents assailed China anew for its continuous bullying at the West Philippine Sea, particularly on the October 22 incident that saw China Coast Guard Vessel 5203 ‘nudging’ a local vessel used by the Philippine government in its resupply mission to Filipino soldiers stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.
The residents, who spoke on behalf of the National Youth Movement for the West Philippine Sea (NYMWPS), described the latest incident as another blatant violation of international law. In a statement farmed out to the media, NYMWPS called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to continuously assert sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea – “and to uphold the constitutional mandate to defend our territorial integrity and national interest.”
“We condemn in the strongest possible word the continuous presence of the Chinese Coast Guard and other Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea,” reads part of the statement issued by non-partisan transglobal organization.
“The use of gray tactics for one is a manifestation of China’s wanton disregard for the rule of law. Relentless harassment of vessels, ranging from government patrols to Filipino fishermen sailing the West Philippine Sea, is totally unacceptable,” the group added. On July 12, 2016, the Arbitral Tribunal unequivocally awarded the Philippines sovereign rights within the 200-nautical miles of the West Philippine Sea.
“The presence of these Chinese Coast Guard and militia vessels does not reflect the friendship both our countries have committed to foster.”
“Hence, we call on President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., and other responsible agencies of the Philippine national government to continuously assert our sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea, and to uphold the constitutional mandate to defend our territorial integrity and national interest.”
NYMWPS maintained that sovereignty and sovereign rights are non-negotiable issues and that the Chinese vessels operating within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone or EEZ and territorial waters must be immediately expelled.
