MANILA — The National Maritime Council (NMC) condemned a series of aggressive maneuvers and harassment by Chinese maritime forces against Filipino fisherfolk, vessels, and aircraft in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

In a statement, the NMC said the actions of the China Coast Guard, the People’s Liberation Army Navy, Chinese maritime militias, and other Chinese vessels “endanger lives, violate international law, and undermine regional peace and stability.”

The council cited five incidents between March 7 and 26:

• March 7: A Chinese Navy vessel directed its fire-control radar at BRP Miguel Malvar near Escoda Shoal during a lawful patrol, constituting a threat of force.
• March 17: Chinese vessels harassed Filipino fisherfolk at Bajo de Masinloc through dangerous maneuvers, sirens, and RHIB deployment, disrupting lawful fishing activities.
• March 20: A Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) aircraft over the Kalayaan Island Group was met with flares near Panganiban Reef, endangering aviation safety. The same day, a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel at Paredes Reef (Discovery Great Reef) faced unsafe maneuvers from a Chinese vessel.
• March 26: A Philippine Navy vessel narrowly avoided collision after a Chinese Navy ship executed an unsafe maneuver near Pag-asa Island, violating the 1972 Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs).

The NMC stressed that these incidents occurred in areas under Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction, and that Philippine operations are consistent with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award. It added that China’s actions violate international law and the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC).

The council said the Philippines will pursue diplomatic measures and existing bilateral dialogue mechanisms to address the incidents while reiterating its call for China to cease activities that violate Philippine sovereignty.

“The PCG, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and relevant maritime agencies remain firm in safeguarding Filipino fisherfolk and upholding the country’s maritime rights. The council remains committed to a peaceful, lawful, and principled approach in protecting our nation’s interests in the WPS,” the NMC concluded.