More PH allies express concern over latest Chinese water cannon attack

UM4 TAKES ANOTHER HIT A frame grab from handout aerial video footage taken and released on March 23 by the Armed Forces of the Philippines shows China Coast Guard ships (left and right) deploying water cannons against the Philippine military-chartered civilian boat Unaizah May 4 (UM 4) during its supply mission near the Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in disputed waters of the South China Sea. —AFP

South Korea and India’s foreign ministers, and the US Congressional Delegation (Codel) expressed concern on Tuesday over China’s latest use of water cannons against Philippine ships which left three Navy personnel injured.

“We are gravely concerned about the recent and repeated use of water cannons in the South China Sea,” Seoul’s foreign ministry spokesperson Lim Soo-suk told a briefing. “These actions increase tensions in the South China Sea, a major international navigation route used by all countries including Korea, and undermine efforts to maintain peace, stability, security and a rules-based maritime order.”

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Lim said that freedom of navigation and overflight must be respected by all countries based on international law.

India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, who is in Manila for a three-day visit, meanwhile, reiterated his country’s support “to the Philippines for upholding its national sovereignty.”

“We are convinced that progress and prosperity [in] this region is best served by [a] staunch adherence to a rules-based order,” he said in a joint press briefing with his Philippine counterpart, Enrique Manalo.

During a courtesy call in Malacañang, members of the US Codel also discussed with President Marcos the geopolitical complications faced by the country in the South China Sea.

US delegation’s message

“We share your concern about China’s aggression with regard to many issues around the Philippines,” said New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, the head of delegation.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines said that on March 23, two China Coast Guard vessels used water cannons on a Philippine supply boat on its way to Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal. The attack caused heavy damage to the boat while three of the Navy personnel on board suffered injuries.

Commodore Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, also criticized China’s recent actions, saying these were part of Beijing’s “unlawful ambition” to take control of the entire West Philippine Sea.

“The People’s Republic of China intruded in waters of Ayungin Shoal not to conduct law enforcement, but to escalate the tension, endanger the lives of the Filipinos carrying out the routine resupply operation …,” he said in a post on X. —REPORTS FROM REUTERS, DONA Z. PAZZIBUGAN, NESTOR CORRALES AND MELVIN GASCON INQ