DND.GOV.PH / Reuters
MANILA, Philippines — China’s threatening statements on the Philippines demonstrate its government’s “inability” to hold honest negotiations on the disputed waters, the Department of National Defense (DND) declared.
“China’s defense ministry statement clearly reflects their isolation from the rest of the world on their illegal and uncivilized activities in the West Philippine Sea,” it said in a statement Friday.
“It also shows the inability of the Chinese Government to conduct open, transparent, and legal negotiations. Their repertoire consists only of patronizing and, failing that, intimidating smaller countries,” the DND also said.
On Thursday, the Chinese Ministry of Defense said the Philippines was “straying down a dangerous path,” blaming Manila and its ally, Washington, for the continued tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
READ: Chinese Defense Ministry: PH is ‘straying down a dangerous path’
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., on the same day, criticized the China Coast Guard’s (CCG) illegal maneuvers within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, even promising a countermeasure.
The DND echoed Marcos’ strong words, refusing to bow to pressure from China.
“The world has seen and knows that the Filipino people are not aggressors. We will never seek a fight or trouble. Neither will we be cowed into silence, submission, or subservience. We do not yield. We are Filipinos,” the DND pointed out.
READ: Marcos on Chinese Coast Guard’s water cannon attack: ‘Filipinos do not yield’
On March 23, the CCG fired high-powered water cannon at a Philippine supply ship en route to the grounded BRP Sierra Madre on Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. This latest incident destroyed the Philippine vessel and injured three Filipino crewmen aboard.
The Chinese Ministry of Defense said the Philippines “violated international law and the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.” However, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in July 2016 that the West Philippine Sea belongs to the Philippines and invalidated China’s nine-dash line claim which covers almost the entire South China Sea.
China has built artificial islands, injured Filipino servicemen, and damaged marine life within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone as it continued to ignore the historic arbitral award.