The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has called on both China and Vietnam to exercise self-restraint following a recent incident involving Vietnamese fishermen in the contested South China Sea.
This appeal came after reports surfaced that 10 Vietnamese fishermen were attacked with iron bars and robbed of fish and equipment worth thousands of dollars near the Paracel Islands, a region claimed by several countries including China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Brunei.
In a statement, the DFA expressed its concern over the event, saying, “The Philippines is aware of reports of a serious incident occurring on 29 September 2024 involving VNM fishermen and CHN maritime authorities.”
The DFA reiterated its longstanding opposition to any use of force, aggression, or intimidation in the South China Sea.
“The Philippines has consistently denounced the use of force, aggression, and intimidation in the South China Sea, and emphasized the need for actors to exercise genuine self-restraint,” the statement added.
The agency also emphasized the responsibility of nations to ensure the safety of vessels and their crews, particularly fisherfolk, and urged that the dispute be resolved peacefully.
“The Philippines underscores the need for disputes in the South China Sea to be managed peacefully and in accordance with international law, particularly UNCLOS,” the DFA said.