“No one but the Philippines has a legitimate right or legal basis to operate anywhere in the West Philippine Sea.”
Ito ang binigyang-diin ni Pangulong Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. matapos ang muling pag-atake ng China Coast Guard (CCG) sa mga barko ng Pilipinas na nagsasagawa ng resupply mission sa Ayungin Shoal nitong Linggo, Disyembre 10.
Matatandaang kinumpirma ng National Task Force-West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) nitong Linggo ang pambobomba ng tubig ng CCG sa vessels ng Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) na nasa resupply mission sa Ayungin.
PH supply vessels binomba na naman ng tubig, sinalpok pa ng barko ng China CG
Bukod dito, binomba rin ng tubig ng CCG ang mga barko ng BFAR na nagsagawa ng regular humanitarian at support mission sa mahigit 30 Filipino fishing vessels nitong Sabado, Disyembre 9.
Kaugnay nito, ipinahayag ni Marcos nitong Linggo ng gabi, na ang naturang “aggression” at “provocations” na ginawa ng CCG at kanilang Chinese Maritime Militia laban sa mga sasakyang pandagat ng Pilipinas ay lalo pa umanong nagpatibay sa determinasyon ng pamahalaan na ipagtanggol at protektahan ang mga karapatan sa soberanya ng bansa at hurisdiksyon sa WPS.
“I have been in constant communication with our national security and defense leadership, 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,” pahayag ni Marcos,
“Let me reiterate what is settled and widely recognized: Ayungin Shoal is within our Exclusive Economic Zone, 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,” dagdag pa niya.
Muli ring iginiit ng pangulo na ang Pilipinas lamang umano ang may karapatang magsagawa ng operasyon sa alinmang bahagi ng WPS.
“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,” giit ni Marcos.
“To our gallant service members, be assured of our utmost gratitude and fullest support. We remain undeterred,” dagdag pa niya.
