US Defense chief blasts China’s ‘irresponsible’ moves in West PH Sea

Screengrab from INQUIRER.net video courtesy of US Department of Defense / AFP / NTF-WPS / PCG

MANILA, Philippines — United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III on Friday slammed China’s “irresponsible” actions in the West Philippine Sea, which led to property damage and injuries to the country’s naval personnel.

Austin made the pronouncement during a joint press conference at U.S. Indo-Pacific Command headquarters in Hawaii. It was also attended by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and their counterparts from Japan and Australia.

“The kind of behavior we’ve seen where Filipino crews are put in danger, sailors have been injured and property damaged, that’s irresponsible behavior, and that disregards international law,” Austin said.

Washington’s defense chief was referring to the China Coast Guard’s (CCG) use of the water cannon against a Philippine vessel in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal on March 23, which seriously injured three Navy personnel.

READ: Injured Navy crew recount water cannon ordeal

The CCG also used a water cannon in Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal on Tuesday, directly hitting a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship for the first time in Beijing’s latest aggressive moves seen by Manila as an escalation.