By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Despite the tension in the West Philippine Sea following the latest water cannon incident involving the Chinese Coast Guard, foreign policy expert and professor of the Dela Salle University (DLSU) Department of International Studies Dr. Renato de Castro expressed belief that the US and Philippine defense officials could be in consultation for a possible solution.
On Tuesday (5 March 2024) China Coast Guard vessels caused two collisions with Philippine vessels and water cannoned a boat, leaving four crew injured during a resupply mission in the West Philippine Sea.
“‘Yung kanilang Coast Guard vessel dating navy ships ‘yan at armado ‘yan (Their Coast Guard vessels at former Navy ships. Those are armed),” De Castro revealed.
The DLSU professor said the latest water cannon incident is an “elevation” of China’s aggression, including harassment, dangerous manuevers and collisions.
He further bared that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and Navy recently decommissioned their war ships, painted them white and used them as Coast Guard vessels.
De Castro said in 2021, the People’s National Congress of China also released a coast guard law allowing the use of force to repel “trespassers.”
China claims almost the entire South China Sea, including the areas in the West Philippine Sea.
It has been ignoring competing claims from a host of Southeast Asian nations and an international ruling that has declared its stance baseless.
(el Amigo/MNM)