By Bernadette E. Tamayo, Manila Times
February 16, 2023
GERMANY and the United Kingdom (UK) have joined three more countries in expressing serious concern over the alleged harassment of a Philippine Coast Guard vessel by a Chinese Coast Guard ship in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Japan, Australia, and Canada had voiced their apprehension on the reported aggressive behavior of CCG against a PCG vessel which was on a re-supply mission to BRP Sierra Madre stationed in Ayungin Shoal.
German Ambassador to Manila Anke Reiffenstuel, on Tweeter, said, Germany "shares serious concerns about intimidatory action against Philippine vessels" in the West Philippine Sea or South ChinaSea.
"We call to refrain from any conduct that increases tensions. All states must abide by UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea)," she said.
"The 2016 Arbitral Award is final and legally binding," Reiffenstuel stressed.
In a separate tweet, the British Embassy in Manila said, "The UK supports and joins the Philippines in expressing our serious concern regarding the intimidatory actions towards lawfully operating Philippines vessels in the South China Sea. These dangerous acts are in violation of international law."
"The UK is unwavering in our position on UNCLOS and that the 2016 arbitral decision is final and legally binding," the embassy added.
In a landmark ruling on July 12, 2016, the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration found no legal basis for China to use its "nine-dash line" as basis for claiming the South China Sea but China refused to honor the ruling.
The said arbitral award recognized the Philippines' sovereign rights in its 200 nautical miles exclusive economic zone in the WPS, which is part of the South China Sea.
Manila on February 14 protested the recent "aggressive" action of the CCG in the WPS when it used a military-grade laser against a Philippine ship that was on a resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal.
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