MARIING kinondena ni United States Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson ang pananakit ng China Coast Guard sa tatlong Pilipinong mangingisda at paglalagay sa peligro sa 20 fishing vessel na kanilang dinahas sa Sabina o Escoda Shoal sa West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Sa ibinahaging pahayag ng U.S. Embassy in Manila sa media, agresibo at ilegal ang mga aksyon na ginawa ng China Coast Guard laban sa mga mangingisdang Pilipino sa loob ng pinagtatalunang teritoryo ng Pilipinas.

Base sa isang pahayag sa kanyang official X account, sinabi ng US envoy na ang paggamit ng CCG vessels ng water cannon at ang pagputol ng anchor lines ng Filipino fishing boat ay naglagay sa panganib sa buhay at kabuhayan ng mga mangingisdang Pilipino.

Kasabay nito, pinuri ni Carlson ang Philippine Coast Guard sa agarang pagtulong sa mga biktima at sa pagtatanggol sa sovereign rights ng Pilipinas.

Una rito, kinumpirma ni PCG spokesperson for the WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela na tatlong mangingisdang Pilipino ang nasugatan matapos atakihin ng mga barko ng China Coast Guard at Chinese maritime militia ang kanilang mga bangka gamit ang water cannon at nagsagawa ng mapanganib na pagharang noong Disyembre 12 malapit sa Escoda Shoal, sa loob ng exclusive economic zone ng Pilipinas.

Ayon sa People’s Republic of China Embassy in Manila, isinisi ng China Coast Guard sa mga mangingisdang Pilipino ang pangyayari dahil nagpupumilit umano silang pumasok sa teritoryo ng China nang walang pahintulot.

“The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command and the China Coast Guard (CCG) issued separate statements on Friday, announcing that they had taken necessary measures to expel Philippine small aircraft and vessels that recently illegally intruded into the airspace of China’s Huangyan Dao and the waters off Xianbin Jiao, respectively,” ayon sa ibinahaging pahayag ng China Embassy.

Ayon kay Senior Colonel Tian Junli, spokesperson ng PLA Southern Theater Command, “The PLA Southern Theater Command organized naval and air forces to track and monitor, sternly warn, and resolutely expel several small aircraft of the Philippines in accordance with laws and regulations after they illegally intruded into the airspace of China’s Huangyan Dao in recent days without authorization from the Chinese government.”

“We sternly warn the Philippines to immediately cease its infringement and provocations,” sabi pa ni Senior Col. Tian Junli.

Dagdag pa ni Liu Dejun, CCG spokesperson, “The CCG took necessary control measures, including issuing verbal warnings and expelling by external means, in accordance with laws and regulations against multiple batches of Philippine vessels that deliberately intruded into the waters adjacent to Xianbin Jiao of China’s Nansha Qundao under the pretext of fishing, despite repeated dissuasions and stern warnings from the CCG.”

(JESSE RUIZ)