PH files protest vs. Chinese water cannon attack in Bajo de Masinloc

MANILA, September 19 ------ The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) lodged a diplomatic protest against China over its latest water cannon attack on a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel that injured a Filipino crew member near Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal).

DFA said the protest was filed on Thursday. Several countries have expressed solidarity with Manila and aired concern over the latest Chinese move in the area. Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya said Japan is “gravely concerned” by the latest incident and affirms its opposition to “any actions which increase tensions.”

Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines David Hartman, for his part, said Ottawa “strongly opposes” such actions and called on parties to adhere to international law. “Canada strongly opposes China’s aggressive actions in the South China Sea and calls on parties to respect UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) and the 2016 Arbitral Award. We are concerned by China’s dangerous use of water cannons at the Scarborough Shoal that injured a civilian BFAR officer supporting Filipino fishers,” he said.

The British Embassy in Manila warned that such conduct “risks miscalculation, endangers lives at sea, and undermines regional stability.” “We urge all parties to uphold international law including UNCLOS, and to respect freedom of navigation. Dialogue and restraint are essential to avoid further tensions," it said.

Echoing similar concern were New Zealand, the European Union, Australia, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. On Tuesday night, US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said the US condemns China's latest conduct and commended the BFAR personnel for asserting the country's rights over the area in a professional manner.

Source: pna.gov.ph