The incident on August 5th involving the China Coast Guard (CCG) firing water cannons at the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and its escorting resupply ships is the most recent display of harassment and gray zone activity by the Chinese government in the West Philippine Sea. China utilizes these gray zone tactics in areas where the Philippines has sovereign rights under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos), claiming sovereignty based on historical rights and the nine-dash line. These tactics range from harassing Filipino fishermen and swarming maritime features with hundreds of Chinese fishing and maritime militia vessels to more aggressive acts such as dangerous maneuvers and the use of military-grade lasers and water cannons. The objective of these tactics is to establish Chinese control over disputed maritime areas and weaken the Philippines’ ability to assert its sovereign rights over its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
In 2023 alone, the CCG has engaged in aggressive and dangerous actions, including the use of military lasers on February 6th, near collisions with BRP Malapascua on April 23rd and BRP Malabrigo on June 30th, and the water cannon incident on August 5th. These incidents have posed significant challenges to the PCG and heightened tensions in the region. It is noteworthy that the CCG conducted all four acts in one area, near Ayungin Shoal, with the specific intention of impeding the resupply missions to the Philippine outpost on the grounded BRP Sierra Madre. This World War II-era Philippine Navy vessel was deliberately grounded on the shoal in 1999 to serve as an outpost within our EEZ. The Chinese government’s efforts to obstruct the resupply of this outpost aim to isolate the troops stationed there, thereby pressuring us to abandon the vessel and allowing it to deteriorate and sink. The Chinese foreign ministry confirmed these intentions regarding the Ayungin outpost in a statement on August 7th, asserting that the Philippines had made promises to tow away the grounded BRP Sierra Madre but had failed to do so. The Philippine government promptly refuted these claims, declaring that it had not and would never enter into any agreement relinquishing its sovereign rights and jurisdiction over Ayungin Shoal. Located 104 nautical miles off the coast of Palawan, the shoal is well within our country’s 200-mile EEZ. In addition to the entitlements provided by Unclos, the Philippines’ sovereign rights to its EEZ are reinforced by the 2016 arbitral ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, which invalidated China’s claims to historic rights and the nine-dash line, deeming them incompatible with Unclos. Consequently, any agreement pertaining to the towing of the grounded BRP Sierra Madre would be rendered immaterial by this arbitral ruling. It is somewhat ironic and hypocritical of China to invoke promises considering their shelters for fishermen during typhoons evolved into militarized artificial islands.
Given the Chinese government’s persistent efforts and risks in obstructing the resupply and repair of our outpost in Ayungin Shoal, the grounded BRP Sierra Madre has become a symbol and physical representation of our sovereign rights over our EEZ. Consequently, safeguarding this outpost now serves as a crucial test of our determination and capability to defend our sovereign rights. We cannot afford to falter or fail in this matter.
Moira G. Gallaga has served as a presidential protocol officer for three Philippine presidents and has held diplomatic positions at the Philippine consulate general in Los Angeles and the Philippine Embassy in Washington.
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