Group assails latest Chinese aggression at West Philippine Sea
The presence and dangerous blocking of China Coast Guard Vessel 5203 that caused its collision with the Philippine public vessel used for the resupply mission to the troops at BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea on Oct. 22, 2023 is a blatant violation by China of international law which they have been perpetrating for years.
For this reason, the National Youth Movement for the West Philippine Sea or NYMWPS, a peaceful, non-partisan and transglobal organization that advocates for the preservation of the Philippines’ sovereignty and territorial integrity, condemns in the strongest possible word the continuous presence of the Chinese Coast Guard and other Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea.
“The use of gray tactics for one is a manifestation of China’s wanton disregard on the rule of law. Relentless harassment of vessels, ranging from government patrols to Filipino fishermen sailing the West Philippine Sea, is totally unacceptable,” it said.
On July 12, 2016, the Arbitral Tribunal unequivocally awarded the Philippines sovereign rights within the 200-nautical miles of the West Philippine Sea.
“The presence of these Chinese Coast Guard and militia vessels does not reflect the friendship both our countries have committed to foster.”
Hence, NYMWPS calls on President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., and other responsible agencies of the Philippine national government to continuously assert our sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea, and to uphold the constitutional mandate to defend our territorial integrity and national interest.
The National Youth Movement for the West Philippine Sea has always maintained that sovereignty and sovereign rights are non-negotiable issues and that the Chinese vessels operating within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone or EEZ and territorial waters must be immediately expelled. (PR)
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