(Editorial)
THE latest incident at Ayungin Shoal, where a Filipino crew member was injured amid what the Philippine government has called “unlawful” interference by Chinese vessels, marks another dangerous escalation that cannot be ignored.
Time and again, our forces and supply missions carrying food, water, and basic necessities to our troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre have been harassed, blocked, and subjected to aggressive maneuvers that put lives at risk. This is not about territory alone — it is about the safety of our people and the defense of our sovereign rights within our own exclusive economic zone.
What makes these actions even more unacceptable is that they run directly counter to the 2016 arbitral ruling that clearly invalidated China’s expansive claims over the West Philippine Sea. Ayungin Shoal lies well within the Philippines’ maritime jurisdiction, and any attempt to bar our vessels from conducting legitimate resupply or rotation missions is a violation of international law. Water cannons, dangerous intercepts, and close-quarter maneuvering are not acts of sovereignty—they are acts of coercion that endanger life and erode trust between nations that should be neighbors.
The injury sustained by one of our personnel is a painful reminder of the real cost of these repeated confrontations. Our troops and civilian crews carry out their duties with professionalism and restraint, even when faced with overwhelming force.
Yet every time we exercise our lawful right to traverse our own waters, we are met with hostility. This cannot be normalized or dismissed as a routine maritime encounter. The silence or indifference that once accompanied such incidents must now give way to firm, unified action that upholds both our legal standing and our national dignity.
The Philippines’ strong protest over this incident is not an act of provocation — it is a defense of the rule of law. We remain committed to dialogue and peaceful resolution, but these efforts must be met with equal respect and good faith from the other side. We call on the international community to recognize that what happens in our waters sets a precedent for every nation that values freedom of navigation and adherence to international treaties. We will not back down from upholding our rights, nor will we remain silent when our people are harmed while doing their duty.
metrosundaily
