PH officials justify exposure of China’s intimidations at West PH Sea

‘INHUMANE’ The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea says the water cannon attack by the China Coast Guard (CCG) on Saturday, December 9, 2023, caused “significant damage” to the Datu Bankaw (left). It condemned the CCG’s action as “not as only illegal but also inhumane” for it was directed at a humanitarian mission. —Screen grab from Philippine Coast Guard video

MANILA, Philippines — The task force on the West Philippine Sea defended on Monday the country’s moves to expose to the international community China’s aggressive actions within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela said that exposing China’s intimidations makes Filipinos aware of the challenges being faced by the security sector in protecting the country’s sovereignty.

He also said that the international community must know how a powerful country uses its military and economic might to bully a country like the Philippines.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin previously asked the Philippines to “stop hyping up maritime disputes between China and the Philippines.”

READ: China rejects PH House resolution condemning actions in WPS

The China Coast Guard and maritime militia rammed and water cannoned Philippine vessels in two separate humanitarian and support missions in the West Philippine Sea over the weekend.

“This is the very reason why the Philippine government is actively exposing the bullying behavior of China to ensure that the Filipino people are aware of the challenges we face,” National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) Spokesperson Jay Tarriela said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

“It is important for the international community to understand that a powerful country in our region is attempting to use its military and economic strength to assert control over the waters that rightfully belong to us,” he added.

READ: West PH Sea supply missions fruitful despite China’s bullying – official

“By putting a spotlight on this issue, we seek to unite the Filipino people to go against China’s aggression and with one voice we can be able to garner support and solidarity from the international community in defending our rightful claims,” Tarriela continued.

‘It’s not propaganda’

National Security Council (NSC) Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said that the Philippines is “simply telling the world what is happening.”

READ: China’s attacks makes gov’t ‘further steeled’ to defend WPS – Marcos

“It is not propaganda. It is also in the interest of the international community because the West Philippine Sea is part of the sea lanes where global trade passes and freedom of navigation and movement of people, particularly for Filipinos, is critical,” Malaya said in an interview with ANC on Monday.

China’s latest aggressive behavior against Philippine vessels occurred on Sunday, when the CCG and maritime militia rammed and used water cannons on civilian supply boats on the way to the grounded BRP Sierra Madre on Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal. One of the boats – M/L Kalayaan – sustained damage and had to be towed back to Ulugan Bay in Palawan.