Manila Philippines — Two Philippine Coast Guard vessels were damaged due to collision with a Chinese Coast Guard vessel in the Escoda Shoal.
The incident happened during the Rotational Resupply Mission of the PCG in the West Philippine Sea.
The Bayan Muna group condemned the incident that happened inside the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
According to Former House Deputy Minority Leader and Bayan Muna Executive Vice President Carlos Zarate, it is clear that the outrageous assault by Chinese ships on Philippine sovereignty is against international law.
“This latest act of aggression is an outrageous assault on our sovereignty and a clear violation of international law,” Zarate said in a statement.
The group also said its due time to bring these issue to the International Community following the China’s latest dangerous provocation in the West Philippine Sea.
But Bayan Muna warned Western countries not to interfere because it could cause an increase in tension.
“It is high time to bring these aggressive acts to the concerned international tribunal, even to the United Nations. But, even as we call for a stop to China’s continuing aggression, Bayan Muna also warns other western powers led by the US not to exploit the situation to further heighten tensions in the West Philippine Sea,” Zarate added.
The Chinese government defended that the Philippine ships allegedly ignored the CCG’s repeated warnings which resulted in the collision.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has not yet made a statement on this, but Beijing and Manila first agreed on a provisional understanding on the RORE mission in the West Philippine Sea.