Several foreign missions in the Philippines—including Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Canada—have raised serious concerns over the China Coast Guard’s (CCG) recent use of water cannons against Filipino vessels near Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal). Australian Ambassador HK Yu emphasized the binding nature of the 2016 Arbitral Ruling and called for peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, particularly UNCLOS.
The Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessels, which were conducting supply missions well within the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone, were aggressively targeted by CCG vessels. The international community responded with unified calls for China to cease provocative actions and respect established maritime laws, reinforcing their support for Philippine sovereignty and regional stability.
