MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the government remains ‘undeterred’ despite China’s harassment of Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea.

“The aggression and provocations perpetrated by the China Coast Guard (CCG) and their Chinese Maritime Militia against our vessels and personnel over the weekend have only further steeled our determination to defend and protect our nation’s sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea,” Marcos said in a statement late Sunday.

The aggression and provocations perpetrated by the China Coast Guard and their Chinese Maritime Militia against our vessels and personnel over the weekend have only further steeled our determination to defend and protect our nation's sovereignty, sovereign rights, and…

— Bongbong Marcos (@bongbongmarcos) December 10, 2023

He stressed that China’s “illegal presence in our waters and dangerous actions against our citizens is an outright and blatant violation of international law and the rules-based international order.”

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela on Sunday morning said that China used water cannons against the civilian vessels of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources near Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal). The vessels were on a humanitarian and support mission to give oil subsidies and grocery packs to over 30 Filipino fishing vessels. One of the ships, he said, suffered “serious engine damage.”

Meanwhile, Marcos clarified that the Ayungin Shoal is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, and any foreign claim of sovereignty over it is baseless and absolutely contrary to international law. Bajo de Masinloc is sovereign Philippine territory and an integral part of our archipelago.

“No one but the Philippines has a legitimate right or legal basis to operate anywhere in the West Philippine Sea,” the president said.

“The illegal presence in our waters and dangerous actions against our citizens is an outright and blatant violation of international law and the rules-based international order,” Marcos added.

Marcos said that he is in touch with state authorities and “have directed our uniformed services to conduct their missions with the utmost regard for the safety of our personnel, yet proceed with a mission-oriented mindset.” He assured them his “utmost gratitude and fullest support.”

Sources: (1),(2)

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