July 9, 2024
MANILA – Top foreign affairs and defense officials of the Philippines and Japan expressed on Monday serious concern over China’s “dangerous and escalatory actions” at Ayungin Shoal, calling on them to abide by international laws.
Foreign Affairs chief Enrique Manalo, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and their Japanese counterparts, Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamikawa Yoko, and Minister of Defense Kihara Minoru made the pronouncement in a joint release following the landmark signing of the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) between the two countries.
“The Ministers emphasized the need for the international community to speak out on the importance of maintaining and strengthening the free and open international order based on the rule of law. The Ministers strongly opposed any unilateral attempts to change the peacefully established status quo by force or coercion,” the joint statement reads.
“The Ministers underscored their unwavering commitment to freedom of navigation and overflight consistent with United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and expressed serious concern over the dangerous and escalatory actions by China at Second Thomas Shoal, which obstructed freedom of navigation and disrupted supply lines, thus increasing tensions,” it adds.
The foreign and defense ministers noted that the two nations have decided to continue their coordination in promoting the adherence to international law and called on China to abide by the final and legally-binding 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea.
Beijing’s latest aggression in Philippine waters transpired on June 17.
According to National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, China towed a Philippine vessel en route for a resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre.
The incident likewise resulted in a Philippine navy personnel losing a finger.