Senate reso seeks probe into China’s latest unlawful actions

A Chinese Coast Guard vessel is seen as personnel from the Philippine Navy, Coast Guard and Police Maritime Group conduct a maritime operation at Pag-asa Cay on Sunday.  (Photo from the National Task Force-West Philippine Sea)

MANILA, Philippines— An investigation into China’s latest unlawful actions in Philippine territories has been sought  in the Senate.

Filed on Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino’s Senate Resolution No. 1347 directed the chamber’s special committee on maritime and admiralty zones, which he heads, to conduct the probe.

This is to “further strengthen the protection of the Philippines’ sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea (WPS),” according to the resolution.

Tolentino lamented in the resolution China’s continued unlawful actions despite the 2016 arbitral ruling, rejecting  Beijing’s expansive maritime claims in the South China, including in the WPS.

In particular, the measure cited China’s “provocative landing” on  Sandy Cay, which is near Pag-asa (Thitu) Island in the WPS.

Philippine authorities have already belied reports that Beijing seized the tiny sandbank earlier this month.  

“In mid-April, vessels and personnel of the China Coast Guard (CCG) unlawfully and deliberately intruded into Pag-asa Cay 2 (Sandy Cay) and its surrounding waters, and unfurled the Chinese flag, audaciously asserting so-called “sovereignty and jurisdiction” and leveling baseless accusations of “illegal activities” against the Philippines,” Tolentino said in the resolution.

“These egregious acts constitute a blatant violation of the Philippine Constitution, an affront to the sovereignty of the Republic of the Philippines. It is a violation as well of international law and the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea,” he also said.

Other unlawful actions of China enumerated in the resolution include the following:

• The deployment of CCG vessels and maritime militia to harass Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessels
• The use of military-grade lasers, which have resulted in injuries to Filipino personnel
• The ramming and blocking of Philippine vessels conducting lawful and routine activities in Philippine waters
• The obstruction of resupply missions to Philippine military personnel stationed at Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal); and
• The denial of access to traditional fishing grounds for Filipino fisherfolk in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal)

• The unauthorized surveillance and presence of unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) and other intelligence-gathering devices operating in Philippine maritime zones
• The apprehension of Chinese nationals caught in espionage operations, including the use of International Mobile Subscriber Identity-catchers and other surveillance equipment near Philippine military installations
• The covert manipulation of Philippine domestic policies through the use of Philippine-based public relations firms, such as Infinitus Marketing Solutions Inc., alleged to have been contracted to influence public opinion and sway policy in favor of Chinese interests

Tolentino’s resolution urged the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Justice, and other concerned government agencies “to take all necessary legal, diplomatic, and operational measures” to protect and defend the country’s maritime zones and features, against further unlawful foreign encroachments.