MANILA - The European Union (EU) Delegation in Manila has raised alarms over ongoing incidents involving the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) blocking Filipino vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
According to a new release by Philippines News Agency, Ambassador Luc Veron emphasized the importance of respecting international law in the South China Sea. The statement came after a recent event where a CCG vessel made another hazardous move within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, colliding with a Philippine military-contracted boat conducting regular rotation, rotation, and resupply activities to Ayungin Shoal. "These incidents, their repetition and intensification are dangerous and very disturbing," Veron said on X (formerly Twitter).
Offering support to the Philippines, Germany and the Netherlands also stressed the importance of adhering to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). German Ambassador Andreas Pfaffernoschke expressed Germany's concerns over recent confrontations involving Chinese coast guard ships and maritime militia vessels in the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone. "Germany calls on all parties to act in accordance with UNCLOS rules and to respect the 2016 arbitral award," Pfaffernoschke stated. Netherlands Ambassador Marielle Geraedts also communicated relief that no one was hurt in the recent incident, saying, "The Netherlands stands with the Philippines in its call for the full observance of International Law in the South China Sea."