Manila, Philippines – The Department of National Defense (DND) is set to announce measures regarding the collision between a Chinese vessel and a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ship, which occurred on September 18 in waters off Palawan.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. gave this assurance following the incident, stating that there was no justification for ramming the unarmed Philippine vessel.
The DND, the National Maritime Council, and the National Security Advisor are reportedly discussing what actions to take against China.
The BFAR ship, BRP Datu Magat Salamat, was on a mission to deliver fuel subsidies to Filipino fishermen at Hasa-Hasa Shoal last Friday when it was rammed by the Chinese vessel.
Consequently, the Secretary noted that the incident not only violated maritime rules and regulations but could also be considered a criminal act.
Teodoro added that the issue must be addressed—given that it occurred within Philippine territory—to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Teodoro also took another swipe at Filipinos who allegedly side with China; despite the incidents caused by China, the official labeled those Filipinos who still choose to align with the country as traitors.
Repairing the BFAR ship could reportedly cost up to P1.4 million; however, Dr. Jose Antonio Goitia, Chairman Emeritus of the Filipinos Do Not Yield Movement (FDNYM), maintained that the primary issue is not the repair of the vessel, but the serious danger posed to Filipinos in Philippine waters. The Philippines reportedly needs to stand firm due to the continued aggression of Chinese vessels within Philippine waters and China’s decade-long strategy to expand its presence in the South China Sea.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has previously urged China to respect the Philippines’ sovereignty over its exclusive economic zone and to comply with its obligations under UNCLOS and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award.—Alvin Pelobello, EuroTV News