PH ‘restrained, responsible’ in West PH Sea row — Nat’l Security Council

FILE PHOTO: A Philippine supply boat sails near a Chinese Coast Guard ship during a resupply mission for Filipino troops stationed at a grounded warship in the South China Sea, October 4, 2023. REUTERS/Adrian Portugal/File Photo

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has been very restrained and responsible amid the tensions surrounding the West Philippine Sea, and the same can’t be said for China, according to National Security Council spokesperson Jonathan Malaya.

Malaya made the reaction on Beijing’s claim that the Philippines actions in the WPS are “extremely dangerous.”

READ: PH actions in South China Sea ‘extremely dangerous’ – Chinese state media

“As the world has seen, it is not the Philippines that has been engaged in provocations, bullying and aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea,” Malaya told INQUIRER.net in a Viber message on Tuesday.

“In fact, the Philippines has been very restrained and responsible but the same cannot be said of China,” he added.

Beijing used water cannons and what Manila deems as “dangerous maneuvers” against its vessels during the regular resupply mission in a military outpost in Ayungin Shoal as well as its operations in Scarborough Shoal.

These actions are in line with Beijing’s assertion of sovereignty in almost the entire South China Sea, including the WPS, but an international tribunal ruling in 2016 effectively dismissed its claims while ruling heavily in favor of Manila.

Malaya also stressed the root cause of all tensions in the WPS is China’s non compliance with this ruling and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

“The root of all these tensions is its non-adherence to international law, Unclos, and the 2016 Arbitral Award,” Malaya said.

“China is the only country that believes in its own narrative and propaganda,” he added. “Not a single nation has expressed support for its 10-dash line where it lays claim to practically the entire South China Sea.”

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