MANILA — Nagpakita ng suporta sa Pilipinas ang marami pang bansa matapos tutukan ng military-grade laser ng isang Chinese vessel ang Philippine Coast Guard na nasa Ayungin Shoal, na bahagi ng exclusive economic zone (EEZ) ng Maynila.
Ika-6 ng Pebrero nang mangyari ang insidente habang tinutulungan ng BRP Malapascua (MRRV-4403) ang Philippine Navy sa isang “rotation and resupply mission.”
“Canada underscores its firm & unwavering support for the Philippines in the face of coercive actions of the People’s Republic of China in the South China Sea. As a Party to UNCLOS, the PRC must comply with its obligations, including notably the 2016 [South China Sea] Arbitration Decision,” ani Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines David Hartman, Miyerkules.
“Recent actions that disrupted the lawful operations of Philippine vessels off the coast of the Philippines are in violation of international law and contrary to the maintenance of regional peace and stability, and the rules-based international order.”
Tinutukoy ng Canadian Embassy ang pagkapanalo ng Pilipinas sa 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration, na siyang nagpatibay sa West Philippine Sea bilang bahagi ng EEZ ng Pilipinas. Initsapwera rin nito ang nine-dash line claim ng Beijing sa malaking bahagi ng South China Sea.
Sa kabila nito, binabalewala ito ng Tsina at pinaninindigang tama lang ang ginawa ng kanilang coast guard dahil sa pinoprotektahan lang daw nila ang kanilang “teritoryo” at “maritime rights.”
Una nang tinawag na “provocative” at “unsafe” ng Estados Unidos ang ginawa ng Tsina, bagay na nagdulot ng pansamantalang pagkabulag ng mga Pinoy.
Martes lang nang pormal na maghain ng diplomatic protest ang Department of Foreign Affairs laban sa pandadahas ng mga Tsino sa karagatang pinangangasiwaan dapat ng Pilipinas. Ipinatawag din ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos si Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian para ipahayag ang kanyang “serious concern” sa mga nagaganap sa West Philippine Sea.
Australia at Japan kumampi rin sa ‘Pinas
Gaya ng Canada, nagpakita rin ng kanilang suporta sa Pilipinas ang Australia at Japan sa gitna ng harassment.
“Australia shares concerns about unsafe and intimidatory actions directed against the Philippines. We continue to call for peace, stability and respect for international law in the South China Sea, a vital international waterway,” ani Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Hae Kyong Yu kahapon.
Naglabas din ng kahalintulad na pahayag si Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazukuko kagabi:
“We express serious concerns about dangerous behavior against PH vessels. All states should respect maritime order based on international law, in particular UNCLOS, and recall that 2016 Arbitral Award is final and legally binding. We firmly oppose any action that increase tensions.”
Matatandaang sinabi ng Estados Unidos kamakailan na handa itong sumaklolo sa Pilipinas kung sakaling magkaroon ng armadong pag-atake sa mga sundalo, public vessels, eroplano, atbp. ng Pilipinas bilang bahagi ng Article IV ng 1951 U.S. Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty.
