Senator Manny Pacquiao has called on other countries to condemn the actions of a Chinese Navy vessel who “attacked” two Philippine supply boats with water cannon as the local boats were en route to Ayungin Shoal.
Pacquiao, who is running for president in the national polls next year, said the firing of water cannons is a violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea.
China is a signatory of the said convention.
“This incident is certainly a cause of deep concern. Ayungin Shoal is part of our country’s exclusive economic zone and our continental shelf,” said Pacquiao, quoted by a GMANews report.
Pacquiao also urged China “to end these incursions in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippines’ claims in certain islands and waters in some parts of the South China Sea.”
“I urge China to immediately stop these aggressive and provocative actions and pursue cooperative undertakings that are beneficial to all,” Pacquiao said.
Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. earlier expressed to China the Philippines’ “outrage, condemnation, and protest” on the attack against the two Philippine supply ships last November 16.
President Rodrigo Duterte has yet to release an official statement on the reported attack on the local vessels.