NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
Dangerous Confrontations Erupt Between China Coast Guard, Maritime Militia And Philippine Forces
Photo credit: AFP
In a highly provocative incident this morning, the Philippines' routine Rotation and Resupply (RORE) mission to the BRP SIERRA MADRE (LS57) was marred by dangerous confrontations with Chinese vessels, imperiling the safety of Filipino crew members.
According to the Armed Force of the Philippines (AFP), China’s Coast Guard vessel 5203 (CCGV 5203) engaged in reckless blocking maneuvers, leading to a collision with the AFP-contracted indigenous resupply boat Unaiza May 2 (UM2) 13.5 nautical miles East Northeast of LS57. They added that Philippine Coast Guard vessel MRRV 4409 was bumped by Chinese Maritime Militia vessel 00003 (CMMV 00003) about 6.4NM Northeast of Ayungin Shoal.
The ongoing RORE mission witnessed a tense standoff, with Unaiza May 1 (UM1) successfully reaching BRP SIERRA MADRE to resupply the troops and personnel stationed there. Relevant authorities have been briefed on the unfolding situation.
The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) strongly condemned the dangerous and illegal actions by the China Coast Guard and the Chinese Maritime Militia.
They said that the incident represents a clear violation of Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction, and a blatant disregard for international maritime conventions, including the United Nations Charter, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS), as well as the 2016 Arbitral Award. The international community watches closely as tensions escalate in the South China Sea, raising concerns about regional stability and the safety of maritime activities.
According to the Armed Force of the Philippines (AFP), China’s Coast Guard vessel 5203 (CCGV 5203) engaged in reckless blocking maneuvers, leading to a collision with the AFP-contracted indigenous resupply boat Unaiza May 2 (UM2) 13.5 nautical miles East Northeast of LS57. They added that Philippine Coast Guard vessel MRRV 4409 was bumped by Chinese Maritime Militia vessel 00003 (CMMV 00003) about 6.4NM Northeast of Ayungin Shoal.
The ongoing RORE mission witnessed a tense standoff, with Unaiza May 1 (UM1) successfully reaching BRP SIERRA MADRE to resupply the troops and personnel stationed there. Relevant authorities have been briefed on the unfolding situation.
The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) strongly condemned the dangerous and illegal actions by the China Coast Guard and the Chinese Maritime Militia.
They said that the incident represents a clear violation of Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction, and a blatant disregard for international maritime conventions, including the United Nations Charter, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS), as well as the 2016 Arbitral Award. The international community watches closely as tensions escalate in the South China Sea, raising concerns about regional stability and the safety of maritime activities.
Oct 22, 2023
