US says China’s repeated harassment of PH vessels harms regional peace

‘NOT ONLY SHOCKING BUT APPALLING’ A frame grab from video footage released by the Philippine Coast Guard shows its ship, the BRP Bagacay, being hit by water cannon from Chinese coast guard vessels near the Chinese-controlled Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. Also hit on its way to the shoal was the BRP Bankaw of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. —AFP

MANILA, Philippines – The United States (US) believes China’s continued harassment of Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea harms regional peace and stability.

This was expressed by US Department of State Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel in a press briefing after China once again fired water cannons against two Philippine vessels conducting a mission in Scarborough Shoal.

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“The repeated harassment of Philippine vessels near Scarborough Reef is detrimental to regional peace and stability, and our belief is that the Chinese coast guard installation of these barriers also endangers Philippine fisherfolk’s livelihoods and prevents them from exercising their legal rights to fish in those waters,” said Patel on Tuesday.

Patel emphasized that the Philippines’ rights in Scarborough Shoal were already set out in 2016 after a final and legally binding judgment by an arbitral tribunal.

“[W]e urge the People’s Republic of China to respect the navigational rights and freedoms guaranteed to all states under international law,” he said.

Similar to Patel’s stand, US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson also condemned China’s aggression, calling on them to respect and adhere to international laws.

China’s water cannon attack damaged Philippine vessels BRP Bagacay and BRP Datu Bankaw.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PGC) said China also installed a 380-meter floating barrier covering the entrance of Scarborough Shoal.

But despite China’s actions, PCG said Filipinos will not back down, adding that “legitimate operations to support Filipino fishermen” will still be carried out.