Water cannon incident doesn’t merit military response—AFP | Global News

Water cannon incident doesn’t merit military response—AFP

/ 05:27 PM February 25, 2014

Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala. From the official Twitter account of the Armed forces of the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines–The Chinese Coast Guard’s firing water cannons to drive away Filipino fishermen from Scarborough Shoal (Panatag), viewed locally as a form of harassment, does not merit a military action, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

“What happened with the use of the Chinese Coast Guard of water cannons to our fishermen is really alarming. However, the incident …we believe does not merit a military response,” AFP spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala told reporters at Camp Aguinaldo on Tuesday.

Article continues after this advertisement

Military chief General Emmanuel Bautista reported the incident during a speech before members of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines on Monday.

FEATURED STORIES

“We have to always think about that we do not escalate the already volatile situation in the area. However, them using water cannon towards Filipino citizens is a concern that merits further discussion on how to deal with such situations,” Zagala said.

Asked what kind of actions by the Chinese would make the Philippine military respond, Zagala refused to “speculate:” “Don’t make me speak of things that will make our forces go there.”

Article continues after this advertisement

“If I answer you know that’s speculative, you are telling your deployment. I’m telling you what assets we’re gonna bring. That’s speculative at the moment. Rest assured that the armed forces will do its mandate when the time comes,” Zagala said.

Article continues after this advertisement

It was the Chinese Coast Guard that was involved in the incident, and Zagala said that sending the Philippine Navy would only escalate the situation.

Article continues after this advertisement

“The last thing we want is to be perceived as an aggressor,” he said.

The Scarborough Shoal is 124 nautical miles off Zambales, which is well within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone.

Article continues after this advertisement

A standoff in the shoal between the Philippines and China in 2012 sparked tensions after the Philippine Navy caught Chinese fishermen with illegally collected endangered corals, giant clams and live sharks. The Philippines chose to resolve the issue through diplomatic means before the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.

RELATED STORIES

Water cannon incident doesn’t merit military response—AFP

Validate water cannon incident first, says Trillanes

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

China rejects PH protest

TAGS: China, Global Nation, maritime dispute, Philippines, Scarborough Shoal, water cannon incident

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.