Pinatawag ng Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) ang Charge d'affaires ng Chinese Embassy in Manila nitong Lunes, Marso 25, bilang pagprotesta umano sa muling naging agresibong aksiyon ng China Coast Guard (CCG) at Chinese Maritime Militia laban sa resupply boat ng Pilipinas sa Ayungin Shoal.
Sa isang pahayag nitong Lunes, sinabi ng DFA na ang naturang pagpapatawag sa Charge d'affaires ay matapos ang naging pag-atake ng CCG at Chinese Maritime Militia sa rotation at resupply mission ng Pilipinas sa Ayungin Shoal noong Sabado, Marso 23.
MAKI-BALITA: Pambu-bully, tuloy pa rin: PH resupply boat, binomba ng tubig ng China Coast Guard
Ayon sa DFA, inatasan din ang Philippine Embassy in Beijing na magsampa ng parehong “demarche” sa Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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“In these demarches, the Philippines stressed, among others, that China has no right to be in Ayungin Shoal, a low-tide elevation that lies within the Philippines exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in accordance with the 1982 UNCLOS and as affirmed by the 2016 Arbitral Award,” anang DFA.
“China's continued interference with the Philippines' routine and lawful activities in its own exclusive economic zone is unacceptable. It infringes upon the Philippines sovereign rights and jurisdiction. The Philippines demands that Chinese vessels leave the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal and the Philippine exclusive economic zone immediately,” dagdag nito.
Binanggit din ng ahensya na gumawa ng mga paraan ang Pilipinas upang ipatupad ang mga instruksiyon nina Pangulong Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. at Chinese President Xi Jinping upang mapababa ang tensiyon.
“China's aggressive actions call into question its sincerity in lowering the tensions and promoting peace and stability in the South China Sea. Even as the Philippines continues to engage China in dialogue and diplomacy at the bilateral and multilateral levels, China's aggressive actions contradict and put to waste ASEAN-China efforts to promote practical activities to foster peace and cooperation in the region,” giit ng DFA.
“The Philippines urges China to take the correct track of abiding by international law and respecting the legitimate rights of other states like the Philippines, and to cease and desist from its continued violation of international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award,” dagdag pa nito.
