MANILA, Philippines – Kinumpirma ng Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) ang pagkakaroon ng mga barkong pandigma mula sa United States Navy malapit sa Scarborough Shoal ilang araw matapos magbanggaan ang mga sasakyang pandagat mula sa China Coast Guard (CCG) at People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).
“The DFA is aware of the FONOPS (Freedom of Navigation Operations) conducted by US warships in the vicinity waters of Bajo de Masinloc, which is a longstanding and integral part of Philippine territory,” saad ng DFA.
Ipinunto ng ahensya na tinitiyak ng United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) ang ilang mga karapatan at kalayaan sa pagbibiyahe sa archipelagic waters, territorial sea at exclusive economic zone ng Pilipinas.
“Notification is not required by the Philippines for foreign vessels to exercise these freedoms in Philippine maritime zones, in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS,” dagdag nito.
Samantala, ang mga embahada ng New Zealand, Australia, United Kingdom, at Canada sa Manila ay nakiisa sa natitirang diplomatikong komunidad sa pagpapahayag ng kanilang pagkabahala tungkol sa kamakailang mga aksyon ng China malapit sa shoal, na nasa loob ng exclusive economic zone (EEZ) ng Pilipinas.
Sa isang post sa X (dating Twitter), ang mga pamahalaan ng New Zealand at Australia, kung saan ang Pilipinas ay may umiiral na defense agreement, ay kinondena ang China para sa mapanganib na mga aksyon sa South China Sea.
“NZ is concerned by the collision between vessels near Scarborough Shoal, and the pattern of dangerous and destabilising actions in the SCS. We do not want to see ship and crew safety undermined. We call for peaceful resolution of maritime disputes in accordance with UNCLOS,” ayon sa embahada ng New Zealand.
“Australia is seriously concerned by the dangerous and unprofessional conduct of Chinese vessels near Scarborough Shoal involving the Philippine Coast Guard. This incident highlights the need for de-escalation, restraint and respect for international law, particularly UNCLOS,” dagdag pa ng embahada ng Australian.
Hinimok din ng British Embassy sa Manila ang mga partido na sumunod sa mga internasyonal na batas, kabilang ang UNCLOS, upang maiwasan ang mga sakuna sa dagat.
“The UK is concerned by the dangerous incident near Scarborough Shoal involving the PLAN, CCG and PHCG, and for the safety of the seafarers involved. Our thoughts are with any personnel injured. This incident risked escalation and endangered lives at sea,” saad nito.
“We call for adherence to international law, including UNCLOS, and to the highest standards of safety and professionalism at sea,” dagdag ng embahada.
Ang Canadian Embassy sa Manila, ay nagpahayag din ng “grave concerns” sa pinakabagong insidente.
“We commend the @coastguardph for offering to help a Chinese vessel and continue to call for the peaceful resolution of disputes, in accordance with UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award,” saad nito. RNT/MND
