Philippines – Despite the United States being the Philippines’ oldest treaty ally, it has not intervened in maritime disputes in the South China Sea. The US decision to publicly condemn what it calls barbaric, illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive actions by the People’s Republic of China in the West Philippine Sea is described as a principled stand.

The focus centers on incidents involving Filipino fishermen operating small wooden boats. Claims that these fishermen were “organized and orchestrated” or acted provocatively are challenged, given the presence of large, armed, steel-hulled China Coast Guard vessels.

The account states that unarmed fishermen could not realistically threaten such forces. It further says allegations that fishermen carried knives are contradicted by evidence showing China Coast Guard vessels firing water cannons at close range, injuring three fishermen, damaging boats, and deliberately cutting anchor lines of Philippine fishing vessels.

These actions are described as putting both lives and livelihoods at risk. The text asserts that the international community is aware of these events and will not be misled by narratives portraying the Philippines as the aggressor.

The incident is also linked to China’s claim of “indisputable sovereignty” over Escoda Shoal. The feature is described as a low-tide elevation located within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, approximately 75 to 95 nautical miles from Palawan and more than 600 nautical miles from China’s nearest landmass.

The statement adds that even if China rejects the 2016 Arbitral Award, it remains bound by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which specifies that low-tide elevations are not subject to territorial sovereignty.

It also references Chinese Maritime Militia vessels posing as civilian fishing boats and using water cannons against a Filipino wooden fishing boat during dangerous harassment last weekend, concluding with criticism of China admitting to illegal actions described as “necessary control measures.”

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