The US called out China on its maneuvers against Filipino coast guards in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) last week, saying that these moves “threatens the security and legal rights” of the Philippines.
In a Twitter post, US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said: “We are concerned by the unprofessional maneuvers of the China Coast Guard against the Philippines Coast Guard. The PRC’s irresponsible behavior in the South China Sea threatens the security and legal rights of our treaty ally, the Philippines.”
“We call on the PRC to comply with international law, including implementing the legally binding 2016 award in the Philippines v. China Law of the Sea Convention arbitration as a starting point to achieve a #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific,” Carlson further said.
Chinese coast guards reportedly blocked two Philippine ships on a resupply mission at Ayungin Shoal. Beijing has defended the said moves, saying that the Philippine vessels ‘intruded.’
