US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson (PNA photo by Robert Alfiler)
MANILA – US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson on Monday said the latest harassment by Chinese ships “endangered lives” aside from causing damage to two vessels of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) near Sabina Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Carlson said the US stands with the Philippines in condemning the China Coast Guard’s (CCG) “dangerous maneuvers.”
“We are committed to supporting the rights of our #FriendsPartnersAllies under international law,” she said in a post over X, formerly Twitter.
Two PCG ships – BRP Bagacay and BRP Cape Engaño – collided with CCG vessels (CCGV) 3104 and 21551 on Monday during a resupply mission en route to Patag and Lawak Islands in the Spratlys.
The first incident occurred at 3:24 a.m. when CCGV-3104 performed aggressive maneuvers against BRP Cape Engaño colliding with the PCG’s ship’s starboard beam and creating a hole in the deck around five inches in diameter.
The second incident took place at 3:40 a.m. and involved BRP Bagacay and CCGV 21551 – the latter rammed the PCG vessel twice on both port and starboard sides, leading to minor structural damage as shown in several photos and videos.
Despite the harassment, both PCG ships continued their mission to deliver supplies to Philippine personnel.
AFP closely watching situation
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), meanwhile, condemned China’s latest act of aggression, saying it is also keeping a close watch on the situation.
AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla, in a message to reporters, said the CCG’s actions not only endangered the lives of PCG personnel but also violated international maritime laws, particularly the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
"The AFP, together with the PCG, remains committed to sustaining our presence in the West Philippine Sea in exercising our sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction. We are also working with our regional partners and allies to ensure that all actions are in line with international law and to promote stability in the region," she added.
Padilla also said the AFP is committed to supporting Filipino personnel stationed on Patag and Lawak Islands.
"We will continue to ensure that they receive the necessary supplies and support to carry out their duties. Their safety and well-being are our top priorities," she added.
She added that the incident only strengthens the AFP's resolve to enhance its. presence and ensure that all operations are conducted in accordance with international law.
PN spokesperson for the WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, in a separate message, said they were committed along with the PCG in maintaining the country's presence in the WPS.
"We will continue to coordinate with the PCG to ensure the safety and security of our maritime domain as we strongly condemn the aggressive actions of the CCG," Trinidad added. (with Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)
