MANILA, Philippines – Kinalampag na ng Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) at National Security Council (NSC) nitong Lunes, Agosto 7 ang China na tigilan na ang panggigipit at illegal na aktibidad sa West Philippine Sea kasunod ng insidente ng pambobomba ng tubig ng China Coast Guard sa barko ng Philippine Coast Guard at military supply ship na patungo sana sa Ayungin Shoal nitong Sabado.
“We demand the government of the People’s Republic of China immediately cease and desist its coercive, unlawful and unacceptable activities in the West Philippine Sea,” sinabi ni National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya sa joint briefing nitong Lunes.
“This government will not lose an inch of our territory,” dagdag ni Malaya.
Iginiit niya na sa 2016 ruling ng Permanent Court of Arbitration, pinatutunayan lamang na ang Pilipinas ang may exclusive rights sa West Philippine Sea.
“Our position is clear: The award is final and indisputable, and we firmly reject attempts to undermine it,” pagbabahagi ni Malaya.
Sinegundahan naman ni DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza ang panawagan ng NSC.
“The Philippines demands that China immediately stop its illegal activities in our maritime zones. As a low tide elevation, Ayungin Shoal can neither be a subject of a sovereign claim nor is it capable of appropriation under international law. A fact affirmed by the 2016 Arbitral Award. China cannot lawfully exercise sovereignty over it,” ani Daza.
Kinumpirma rin ng DFA official na naglabas na sila ng verbale laban sa China kaugnay sa water cannon incident na nagpataas na sa diplomatic protests ng bansa laban sa China sa 445 mula pa noong 2020.
Ngayong taon lamang ay 35 diplomatic protests na ang inihain ng Pilipinas kontra China. RNT/JGC
