Mariing kinondena ng National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) ang pambobomba ng China Coast Guard (CCG) sa Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) at Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) habang isinasagawa nito ang Kadiwa ng Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda mission malapit sa Bajo de Masinloc (BDM) nitong Biyernes, Hulyo 24.
Sa pahayag na inilabas ng NTF-WPS nito ring Biyernes, Hulyo 24, iginiit nilang naaayon sa batas ang misyong ikinakasa nila sa katubigan—na layong tulungan ang mga Pilipinong mangingisda.
“These vessels were performing a legitimate public service ensuring that Filipino fisherfolk can safely exercise their traditional fishing rights at BDM recognized under international law and affirmed by the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award,” saad ng NTF-WPS.
Anila, “They were met instead with water cannons and dangerous maneuvers that placed lives at risk and endangered safe navigation.”
“The Award is final and legally binding. It invalidated China's expansive maritime claim because it has no basis in international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and it affirmed the traditional fishing rights of Filipino fisherfolk at BDM. No amount of coercion at sea by Chinese vessels can overturn a binding ruling or create rights that international law does not recognize,” dagdag pa nila.
Anang task force, ipagpapatuloy nila ang mga misyon nila para sa mga Pinoy na mangingisda sa nasabing katubigan; kasabay ang panawagan sa CCG na itigil na ang mapanganib na aksyon nito at sundin ang isinasaad ng batas.
“The NTF-WPS, in the exercise of its mandate, will continue to support operations in the WPS that protect Filipino fisherfolk, uphold Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction, and implement the 2016 Arbitral Award in a responsible, professional and peaceful manner,” anang task force.
Anila, “The NTF-WPS calls on the CCG to cease their dangerous and illegal actions, comply with China’s obligations under UNCLOS, and respect the 2016 Arbitral Award.”
“The NTF-WPS stands firm in upholding Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the WPS. Philippine vessels at BDM and in surrounding waters of the Philippines’ EEZ remain on station and their legitimate mission continues,” pagtatapos ng NTF-WPS.
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