Lawmakers demand justice for injured soldiers in WPS ramming incident

CONDEMNATION Protesters join a “Martsa ng Bayan” in Manila on Monday to condemn China’s alleged bullying of Filipino fishermen and Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea. —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

MANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers from both the majority and minority blocs of the House of Representatives have called for justice for Filipino soldiers injured during the latest incident with Chinese maritime forces in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

In a statement on Tuesday, Liberal Party president and Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman said the Philippine government must demand justice and reparation from China after the incident — and ask that the full identities of the Chinese personnel involved be released.

At least eight Philippine Navy sailors were injured when China’s maritime force boarded a Philippine inflatable boat on Monday, seizing the firearms of the Navy personnel.  The Navy sailors were providing assistance to the resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal, where troops are stationed.

“The Philippines must demand justice and reparation for the injured Filipino Navy sailors and their damaged vessels as a result of the ruthless assault and aggression of Chinese coastguards in the West Philippine Sea, a maritime zone awarded to the Philippines by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016,” Lagman said.

“The government must demand from China the full identities of the culprits. The Chinese government is also liable as the principal of the culprits,” he added.

READ: China ships ram, tow PH vessels at Ayungin 

According to Lagman, the actions of China are a violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

“Government vessels are extensions of Philippine territory and sovereignty so much so that the injuries and damages sustained by Filipino naval personnel and seacraft were committed under Philippine jurisdiction,” he said.

“The criminal acts of the Chinese coastguards also constituted a violation of the [UNCLOS],” he added.

House committee on justice vice chairperson and Bukidnon 2nd District Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores said that the government should take a stronger stand.

“The Chinese are being too much, the aggression they are showing over the West Philippine Sea, even if it was supposed to be a mere resupply mission only, they are disrespecting the Philippines’ sovereignty.  As I’ve said before, if they continue spitting at us, we can no longer pretend that it’s raining outside,” Flores said in an ambush interview at the Batasang Pambansa complex.

“So sooner or later we have to take a tougher stand on China on the West Philippine Sea issue,” he added.

Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers meanwhile suggested that Philippine authorities should also arrest Chinese maritime forces when they trespass into the country’s territory.

READ: US condemns China over Ayungin incident which caused ‘bodily injury’ 

“Like my suggestion last time, if they (China) go inside or trespass our territory, we should also arrest them.  This is to show respect to our policies and laws in our country.  We should arrest those who trespass on our territory,” Barbers told reporters in a separate interview.

“The lack of confrontation shows that our people are peace-loving, we don’t want any conflict.  That is a mere resupply mission for us, it is not a combatant unit or combatant personnel who went there because it is a resupply mission only.  But the next time they do that to a Navy boat or Coast Guard, a different story may take place,” he added.

According to the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea,  Chinese ships rammed and towed Philippine vessels on a rotation and resupply (Rore) mission to Ayungin Shoal on Monday.

The task force said the incident caused damage and endangered the lives of Filipino sailors.

Several local and foreign officials, including United States Ambassador MaryKay Carlson, have condemned China’s actions for causing “bodily injury” towards Filipino personnel.