(Manila, 18th) — Acting President of the Philippine Senate, Estrada, on Friday strongly condemned the China Coast Guard (CCG) for following and blocking the Philippine patrol vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua near Bajo de Masinloc on the 15th of this month, directly calling this a "blatant act of aggression" and an infringement on the Philippines' sovereignty over its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
In his statement, Estrada pointed out that the incident took place in waters clearly defined by international law as part of the Philippine EEZ. He said the China Coast Guard not only once again displayed a hardline stance, but also attempted to distort reality, claiming that the Philippines had acted inappropriately.
"The China Coast Guard has once again used force to harass and even tried to distort the truth by shifting the blame onto the Philippine patrol ship," he said.
He emphasized that it has been nine years since the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in 2016 that China's 'nine-dash line' claim in the South China Sea was invalid, but China has consistently failed to comply with the international ruling and has instead continued to interfere with Philippine Coast Guard, marine researchers, and fishermen.
"Despite the international ruling having already clearly defined rights and ownership, China still continues to ignore it and frequently disturb our personnel," he said.
Estrada expressed his firm support for the Philippine Coast Guard and called on China to immediately cease all provocative, dangerous, and bullying actions.
"No intimidation or coercion can erase the sovereign rights enjoyed by the Philippines under international law; nor can any hostile act deny our legitimate and reasonable position," he said.
In his statement, Estrada pointed out that the incident took place in waters clearly defined by international law as part of the Philippine EEZ. He said the China Coast Guard not only once again displayed a hardline stance, but also attempted to distort reality, claiming that the Philippines had acted inappropriately.
"The China Coast Guard has once again used force to harass and even tried to distort the truth by shifting the blame onto the Philippine patrol ship," he said.
He emphasized that it has been nine years since the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in 2016 that China's 'nine-dash line' claim in the South China Sea was invalid, but China has consistently failed to comply with the international ruling and has instead continued to interfere with Philippine Coast Guard, marine researchers, and fishermen.
"Despite the international ruling having already clearly defined rights and ownership, China still continues to ignore it and frequently disturb our personnel," he said.
Estrada expressed his firm support for the Philippine Coast Guard and called on China to immediately cease all provocative, dangerous, and bullying actions.
"No intimidation or coercion can erase the sovereign rights enjoyed by the Philippines under international law; nor can any hostile act deny our legitimate and reasonable position," he said.