TINAWAGAN ng pansin ni United States Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson ang China na lumolobo na ang bilang ng mga bansa na nanawagan na sumunod ang China sa umiiral international laws.

“The chorus against threats to peace and stability in the South China Sea is growing louder and stronger each day,” ani Carlson.

Umapela ang US Envoy sa China na tigilan na ang pangha-harass sa Philippine vessels na legal na nag-ooperate sa West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Direktang nanawagan si Carlson sa Beijing sa gitna ng bagong salpukan sa pagitan ng Filipino at Chinese troops sa katubigan, nag-ugat sa pagbangga ng China sa Philippine vessels na nauwi sa pagkasugat ng walong sundalo ng Philippine Navy.

“With like-minded partners and all who support the rule of law, we urge the PRC (People’s Republic of China) to cease harassment of Philippine vessels lawfully operating in the Philippine exclusive economic zones (EEZ); to halt its disruption to states’ sovereign rights to explore, utilize, conserve, and manage natural resources in their territories and EEZs; and to end its interference with the freedoms of navigation and overflight of all states lawfully operating in the region,” ayon kay Carlson.

Sa naging pahayag ni Carlson sa East-West Center’s International Media Conference sa Maynila, binigyang-diin nito ang hayagang pagbasura sa 2016 Arbitral Award sa ginagawang pagpapalawak ng China sa South China Sea maritime claims, kabilang na ang anomang pag-angkin nito sa lugar na tinukoy ng Arbitral Tribunal na bahagi ng exclusive economic zone (EEZ) at continental shelf ng Pilipinas.

“We will continue to support the Philippines and other partners on these issues,” ayon kay Carlson.

“Developments in the West Philippine Sea prompted Washington to tie up with countries in the region, such as the Philippines and neighboring Japan,” giit ni Carlson.

“Trilateral cooperation makes good sense,” patuloy ng opisyal.

Tinuran din nito na may tatlong bansa ang nagbabahagi ng iisang karaniwang pananaw para sa isang “free, open, at prosperous” na Indo-Pacific region.

“There are also partners that the US is working with,” ayon kay Carlson. Kabilang na rito ang Japan, Australia, Canada at France.

“Sailing together with our partners sends a clear message: that we are all committed to upholding the freedom of navigation and overflight in accordance with international law,” dagdag pa ni Carlson.

Samantala, muling iginiit kahapon ni Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin’s ang ironclad US commitment ng Amerika sa Pilipina nang magkausap sila kamakalawa ni Defense Secretary Gilberto Gibo Teodoro Jr.

“Secretary Austin reaffirmed the ironclad U.S. commitment to the Philippines following dangerous actions on June 17 by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) against lawful operations by the Philippines to deliver humanitarian supplies to service members stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre,” ayon sa readout ng kanilang telephone conversation ni Sec. Teodoro na ibinahagi ng US Embassy. (JESSE KABEL RUIZ)