EU joins 4 nations in denouncing China’s ramming of PH boat in West Philippine Sea

WATER ATTACK A China Coast Guard ship fires its water cannon at BRP Datu Sanday while the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ vessel is on its way to Escoda (Sabina) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on Sunday. INQUIRER file photo / NESTOR CORRALES

MANILA, Philippines — The European Union (EU) has joined the Philippines’ allies in condemning China’s repeated ramming of a Filipino-manned vessel in the West Philippine Sea on August 31.

Commodore Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard (PGC) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, earlier said a Chinese coast guard vessel deliberately rammed and collided with the BRP Sierra Madre three times, despite no provocation from PCG.

China’s most recent harassment was the fifth to be recorded in August, signifying an increase in Beijing’s efforts to assert control over Escoda Shoal.

With this, the Philippines’ allies – namely the United States, Japan, Taiwan and Australia – decried China’s actions, demanding that it stop its aggression.

The latest addition to this is the EU, which echoed the same call.

“The EU condemns the dangerous actions by Chinese Coast Guard vessels against lawful Philippine maritime operations in the South China Sea on August 31,” said the EU in a statement on Sunday.

“The incident is the latest of several such actions during the past months, which endanger the safety of life at sea, and violate the right to freedom of navigation and overflight to which all nations are entitled under international law,” it pointed out.

The EU then emphasized that pursuant to the United Nations’ Convention on the Law of the Sea and other international norms, laws must be upheld and respected at all times.

“This includes, in particular, the prohibition on the use of force or coercion, and the right to freedom of navigation and overflight,” it said.

Concluding its statement, the EU called for a de-escalation of tension in the region.

It also categorically condemned all “unlawful, escalatory and coercive actions that undermine these principles of international law and threaten peace and stability in the region.”

China’s continued aggression in Philippine waters is borne out of a sweeping claim over most of the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea.

However, it has long been dismissed by an arbitral tribunal.