MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada called on China to immediately halt its “unlawful and provocative” actions in the West Philippine Sea following another reported water cannon attack by Chinese ships against Philippine vessels.

Estrada condemned China’s aggression towards Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessels conducting a humanitarian and supply mission near Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, which lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

“No country has the right to stop or block our lawful humanitarian and supply missions within our exclusive economic zone,” Estrada said.

“Our actions are guided by the 2016 Arbitral Award and are in accordance with international law, specifically the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which guarantees all states the right to navigate freely within their EEZ.”

“I urge China to cease and desist from these unlawful and provocative actions,” he added.

Estrada emphasized that the Philippine government has the sovereign right to operate within Panatag Shoal and asserted that the BFAR vessels had not violated any laws in the conduct of their mission.

“Atin ang Panatag Shoal. Walang nilalabag na batas ang mga barko ng BFAR sa kanilang paglalayag doon na nasa loob ng ating karagatan at bahagi ng ating karapatan,” he said.

The senator also decried China’s continued use of force against Filipino personnel and civilians in Philippine waters.

“Hindi kailanman magiging katanggap-tanggap ang pagiging marahas ng China sa ating mga kababayan,” Estrada said.

Calling for broader support, he urged ASEAN and international partners to stand in solidarity with the Philippines in defending its sovereignty and upholding international law in the region.

“I urge our ASEAN and international partners to stand in solidarity with the Filipino people in defending our sovereignty, regional stability and security, and — most importantly — the rule of law in the West Philippine Sea,” he said.

Estrada also called on the Philippine government to respond with “firm and decisive diplomatic steps” to hold China accountable and prevent future incidents.

BFAR said four of its vessels—BRP Datu Tamblot, BRP Datu Taradapit, BRP Datu Bankaya, and BRP Datu Daya—escorted by Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel, were deployed to Panatag Shoal as part of a food security and development initiative.

Around 10 a.m. last Friday, Chinese Coast Guard ship CCG-4203 fired a water cannon at BRP Datu Taradapit and blocked its path at a distance of 15.6 nautical miles southwest of the shoal. Another vessel, CCG-3105, also fired a water cannon at BRP Datu Tamblot half an hour later.

In total, six CCG vessels, two PLA Navy warships, and several Chinese maritime militia vessels were observed trying to obstruct the BFAR convoy, which was distributing supplies to over 20 local fishing boats.