MANILA — West Philippine Sea spokesperson Jay Tarriela said the United States has not interfered in maritime disputes in the South China Sea, describing Washington’s criticism of China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea as a “principled move.”

“Despite the United States being the Philippines’ oldest treaty ally, it never interfered in the maritime disputes in the South China Sea,” Tarriela said. “The US calling out the People’s Republic of China’s barbaric, illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive actions in the West Philippine Sea is a principled move. Every law abiding nation is expected to stand for what is right and lawful.”

Tarriela rejected narratives suggesting Filipino fishermen were “organized and orchestrated” to provoke China, calling such claims illogical given the disparity in force.

“It strains logic to suggest that ordinary Filipino fishermen on wooden boats are somehow ‘organized and orchestrated’ and can be provocative vis-a-vis the massive, armed and steel-hulled China Coast Guard vessels,” he said. “Common sense alone debunks this narrative: how could unarmed fishermen realistically threaten or provoke such heavily equipped forces?”

He added that allegations that Filipino fishermen carried knives were contradicted by incidents involving China Coast Guard vessels.

“Claims that Filipino fishermen were carrying knives are contradicted by evidence showing CCG vessels firing water cannons at close range, injuring three fishermen, damaging boats, and deliberately cutting the anchor lines of Philippine fishing vessels—endangering lives and livelihoods,” Tarriela said.

Tarriela said the international community is aware of the situation and will not be swayed by propaganda. “The international community is well aware of these facts and will not be misled by propaganda portraying the Philippines as the aggressor,” he said.

Addressing China’s claim of “indisputable sovereignty” over Escoda Shoal, Tarriela questioned Beijing’s charts, saying the feature is a low-tide elevation within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

“On China’s assertion of ‘indisputable sovereignty’ over Escoda Shoal, one must question the accuracy of Beijing’s nautical charts: the feature is a low-tide elevation that is well within the Philippines’ EEZ, approximately 75-95 nautical miles from Palawan,” he said. “It is over 600 nautical miles—or up to 1,200 km—from China’s nearest landmass.”

Tarriela also cited the 2016 Arbitral Award and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

“If China refuses to recognize the 2016 Arbitral Award invalidating its expansive claims, it should at least honor its commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea—a treaty it has ratified—that says LTE’s are not subject to territorial sovereignty,” he said.

He further alleged the presence of Chinese maritime militia using water cannons against a Filipino fishing boat. “By the way, here is your Chinese Maritime Militia pretending to be a civilian fishing vessel also using water cannon against a Filipino wooden fishing boat as they escape the China Coast Guard vessels dangerous harassment last weekend,” Tarriela said.

Tarriela ended his statement by criticizing China’s characterization of its actions. “Finally, thank you for admitting committing illegal actions branding it as ‘necessary control measures.’ ✌🏻” he said.