ππππππ¦ππ§π π¨π ππ‘π ππππ’π¨π§ππ₯ πππ¬π€ π π¨π«ππ ππ¨π« ππ‘π πππ¬π ππ‘π’π₯π’π©π©π’π§π πππ 24 July 2026 | Manila, Philippines
The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) strongly condemns the unlawful and dangerous actions of the China Coast Guard (CCG) this morning against Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessels lawfully carrying out a government mission near Bajo de Masinloc (BDM) in support of Filipino fisherfolk.
These vessels were performing a legitimate public service ensuring that Filipino fisherfolk can safely exercise their traditional fishing rights at BDM recognized under international law and affirmed by the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award. They were met instead with water cannons and dangerous maneuvers that placed lives at risk and endangered safe navigation.
The Award is final and legally binding. It invalidated China’s expansive maritime claim because it has no basis in international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and it affirmed the traditional fishing rights of Filipino fisherfolk at BDM. No amount of coercion at sea by Chinese vessels can overturn a binding ruling or create rights that international law does not recognize.
The NTF-WPS, in the exercise of its mandate, will continue to support operations in the WPS that protect Filipino fisherfolk, uphold Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction, and implement the 2016 Arbitral Award in a responsible, professional and peaceful manner.
The NTF-WPS calls on the CCG to cease their dangerous and illegal actions, comply with Chinaβs obligations under UNCLOS, and respect the 2016 Arbitral Award.
The NTF-WPS stands firm in upholding Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the WPS. Philippine vessels at BDM and in surrounding waters of the Philippinesβ EEZ remain on station and their legitimate mission continues. ###
