US, 5 other nations hit Chinese actions

THE United States and five other countries condemned the dangerous actions by China against «lawful» Philippine maritime operations in the West Philippine Sea Monday that left two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ships damaged.

Australia, Canada, Japan, Germany and the United Kingdom — through their respective embassies in the Philippines — turned to X, formerly Twitter, to express deep concern over the incident, which took place early dawn of August 19, while Manila contemplated filing a case against China before the United Nations.

The BRP Bagacay and BRP Cape Engaño were damaged in collisions with Chinese vessels that were conducting «unlawful and aggressive maneuvers» near Escoda (Sabina) Shoal, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) said in a statement.

The two PCG vessels were sailing within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone and were en route to Patag and Lawak Islands in the WPS, the task force said.

After the incident, US State Department deputy spokesman Vedant Patel said the US reaffirmed that the Mutual Defense Treaty between the two nations extends to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels or aircraft — including those of its Coast Guard — anywhere in the South China Sea.

Patel said the «PRC (People's Republic of China) ships employed reckless maneuvers, deliberately colliding with two Philippine Coast Guard ships, causing structural damage and jeopardizing the safety of the crew onboard.»

«These actions are the latest examples of the PRC using dangerous and escalatory measures to enforce its expansive and unlawful South China Sea maritime claims,» Patel said.

US Ambassador to Manila MaryKay Carlson said the US «stands with the Philippines in condemning the China Coast Guard's (CCG) dangerous maneuvers near Sabina Shoal that endangered lives and caused damage to two Coast Guard Philippine vessels.»

Australia's Ambassador Hae Kyong Yu said, «These dangerous actions undermine efforts to de-escalate tensions. We urge restraint and adherence to international law, particularly Unclos (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea).

Canadian Ambassador David Hartman said, „These actions are