The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs has formally protested against a Chinese Coast Guard ship after a collision resulted in damage to a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel, the BRP Datu Magat Salamat. Manila stated that the Filipino boat was engaged in routine humanitarian support for local fishermen when the incident occurred. Officials characterized the maneuvers by the Chinese vessel as aggressive, dangerous, and illegal. According to the Philippine government, these actions violate international maritime standards, specifically referencing the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 Arbitral Award. The department emphasized that there is no valid reason for such hostile conduct toward a civilian law enforcement ship, noting that the safety of the crew was compromised during the encounter.
Source : The Manila Times
Photo : The Manila Times
Aussi couvert par : Newswire
