PROVOCATIVE, reckless and unnecessary is how the Pentagon described China’s recent actions deemed more than enough to compel the Philippine government to invoke the Mutual Defense Treaty allowing the United States to send military reinforcements to defend the West Philippine Sea against China.
“This kind of behavior is provocative, it’s reckless, it’s unnecessary, and it could lead to something bigger and more violent. So we will continue to stand with our Philippine allies,” Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder said following the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ confirmation over a maritime collision and a man-to-man combat that saw Filipino sailors slug it out against bolo-wielding Chinese Coast Guard personnel.
At least seven Philippine Navy servicemen – including one who lost his thumb – were injured in the scuffle. Chinese Coast Guard personnel also destroyed six rigid hull inflatable boats and seized Philippine Navy servicemen’s firearms.
“We condemn the escalatory and irresponsible action by the People’s Republic of China to deny the Philippines from executing a lawful maritime operation in the South China Sea,” added Ryder in echoing a statement of US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin calling for an urgent action to protect the Philippine maritime claims.
According to Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez, Washington is ”extremely concerned” over China Coast Guard’s “intentional high-speed ramming” on Monday.
Following the incident, Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Maria Theresa Lazaro met with US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, who stated that China’s violent actions in the WPS against the Philippines pose a significant threat to regional peace and stability.
Campbell then told Lazaro that the US is waiting for the Philippines to invoke Article IV of the 1951 United States-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty that extends to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft including those of its coast guard anywhere in the South China Sea.
Monday’s incident is the first reported collision between Philippine and Chinese vessels since China implemented an administrative law enforcement procedure mandating the arrest of “foreign” vessels in the entire South China Sea.
According to the Chinese Coast Guard, the Philippine supply ship “trespassed” China’s territorial water despite repeated warnings – in reference to the Ayungin Shoal which is only 105 nautical miles west of Palawan. (ANGEL F. JOSE)
