DFA: Self-restraint needed amid latest intimidation in South China Sea

FILE – In this handout image provided by Armed Forces of the Philippines, Chinese Coast Guard hold knives and machetes as they approach Philippine troops on a resupply mission in the Second Thomas Shoal at the disputed South China Sea on June 17, 2024.(Armed Forces of the Philippines via AP)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government sees the need to exercise “genuine self-restraint” in the South China Sea following China’s use of force against Vietnamese fishers.

In a statement on Friday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) expressed alarm over China’s actions.

“The Philippines is aware of reports of a serious incident occurring on September 29, 2024, involving [Vietnamese] fishermen and China  maritime authorities,” said the DFA.

“The Philippines has consistently denounced the use of force, aggression and intimidation in the South China Sea, and emphasized the need for actors to exercise genuine self-restraint. It is a paramount obligation to ensure the safety at sea of vessels and their crew, especially fisherfolk,” it added.

The DFA’s remarks came after 10 Vietnamese fishermen were violently robbed in the disputed South China Sea.

International reports detailed that the Vietnamese men were reportedly beaten with iron bars and robbed of thousands of dollars worth of fish and equipment on Sunday off the Paracel Islands — an archipelago in the resource-rich waterway claimed by China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei.