MANILA, Philippines — Despite China’s ramming of two Philippine-flagged vessels, the government said it will not resort to “kinetic” actions in the West Philippine Sea, the National Maritime Council (NMC) said Tuesday.
This, even after China rammed the BRP Bagacay and BRP Cape Engaño resulting in the structural damage of the two vessels.
“In line with the President’s directive ‘no, kasi if we will be going beyond diplomatic o peaceful approach, you can just imagine ‘no – maybe if you’re referring to more kinetic actions, that will not be to the best interest of our country and China, and even in the region,” NMC spokesperson Alexander Lopez said in a press briefing.
The newly appointed NMC spokesperson said that it expresses “serious concern” over the “deliberate harassment and infringement” by China against the Philippines’ sovereignty but it will not resort to aggressive tactics since the Philippines can “never go wrong” with diplomatic and peaceful approach.
“The Philippines will continue to uphold its rights and jurisdictions in the West Philippine Sea, sustain our routine maritime activities, and protect its territory and maritime zones from environmental degradation and other illegal activities,” he said.
The Philippines follows the 2002 Code of Conduct, which requires parties to avoid actions that could worsen or escalate disputes in the area, he said.
The two Philippine-flagged vessels were rammed by the China Coast Guard after it claimed that the vessels “illegally entered” the Sabina Shoal without asking permission from Chinese authorities.
A Chinese official said that it was the Philippines who began pulling off “aggressive” actions against China despite “repeated solemn warnings” and Beijing only did “control measures.”
The NMC spokesperson said they have yet to gather the account of the Philippine Coast Guard regarding the incident to verify the claims made by the CCG spokesperson.
“We warn the Philippines to immediately stop its infringement and provocation, otherwise all the consequences arising therefrom will be borne by the Philippines,” Chinese Coast spokesperson Gan Yu said Monday.
But National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya earlier said that at about 3:24 AM, while navigating about 23.01 nautical miles southeast of Escoda Shoal, BRP Cape Engaño was subjected to aggressive maneuvers by CCGV-3104.
This caused a collision with the right side of the vessel, leaving a five-inch hole in the deck.
The official likewise said that less than 20 minutes after, at 3:40 AM, BRP Bagacay approximately 21.3 nautical miles southeast of Escoda Shoal—was “rammed twice” on both her port and starboard sides by CCGV 21551.
The ramming to BRP Bagacay led to minor structural damage, Malaya said.
