MANILA, Philippines — China has once again hit back at the Philippines and urged it to stop infringing on its rights in the West Philippine Sea and abide by international law in response to the violent June 17 encounter near Ayungin Shoal.
“The Philippines, if it would truly act in accordance with international law, should first and foremost observe the treaties that define its territory, including the 1898 Treaty of Peace between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Spain, and abide by the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea,” said China’s spokesperson Mao Ning in a regular briefing.
He likewise told the Philippines to stop misleading the world on what really happened in the West Philippine Sea during a violent encounter that caused a Filipino serviceman to lose his thumb.
“Our message to the Philippines is very clear: stop infringing on China’s rights and making provocations, and stop misleading the world,” Mao said.
PH changes tune
On Monday, June 24, the Philippines changed its tune and said the June 17 incident between China was not a misunderstanding or accident, as earlier claimed by the Palace, but China’s “aggressive” and “illegal” use of force.
Reports showed that eight Filipino servicemen had been injured during the hostile incident on June 17, but the National Maritime Council clarified that only one serviceman was hurt.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro earlier said that the national government will not downplay the event and told the public that they will “continue to find peaceful solutions” regarding the maritime dispute.
The maritime dispute in the West Philippine Sea was marked by extreme violence and harassment from Chinese authorities despite the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague adjudicating in favor of the Philippines over its territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea.
Nearly eight years following the resolution, Filipino fishermen have yet to explore the West Philippine Sea freely due to threats from Chinese authorities.
