MANILA, Philippines- Sa kabila ng video clips na nagpapakitang hinahabol ng Chinese ships ang Philippine vessel, sinabi ng China na ang Pilipinas ang bumangga sa barko nito.
“On August 25, an official vessel of Philippines’ Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources [BFAR]… intruded into the adjacent waters of Xianbin Jiao of China’s Nansha Qundao, and acted dangerously by deliberately ramming the China Coast Guard vessel that was carrying out law enforcement operation,” pahayag ni Lin Jian, tagapagsalita ng China’s Foreign Ministry, nitong Martes.
Sinabi rin ni Lin na binalewala umano ng Pilipinas ang “firm and repeated dissuasion” ng China.
Kasunod ang pahayag ng opisyal ng paghabol at pagbangga ng People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) at ng China Coast Guard (CCG) ship sa barko ng Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) sa katubigan ng Escoda Shoal.
“The CCG vessels made close perilous maneuvers that resulted in ramming, blasted horns, and deployed water cannons against the BFAR vessel, eventually leading to the latter’s engine failure and forcing an early termination of the humanitarian operation,” pahayag ni Jay Tarriela, Philippines Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman, hinggil sa maritime incident.
Subalit, iginiit ng China na “professional, restrained and appropriate” ang naging aksyon nito.
Samantala, inihayag ng ilang bansa ang pagsuporta sa Pilipinas mula sa mga aksyon ng China, kabilang ang mga ambassador ng United States, Australia, Japan, United Kingdom, France at Canada.
“The responsibility of causing the collision fully lies with the Philippines. China Coast Guard took necessary measures in accordance with domestic and international law,” giit pa ni Lin.
“The Philippines’ move seriously infringes on China’s sovereignty, violates the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and threatens the peace and stability in the South China Sea,” aniya.
Nanawagan din siya sa Pilipinas na itigil ang “infringement and provocation activities at once, and withdraw the vessel immediately.” RNT/SA
