Tolentino slams ‘reckless’ CCG maneuvers in Panatag shoal
SENATE Majority Leader Francis Tolentino condemned the “reckless and dangerous” actions of a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel that nearly collided with a Philippine patrol ship in contested waters off Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal on Sunday, calling it a blatant violation of international law and an affront to Philippine sovereignty.
Tolentino, in a statement, emphasized that Panatag Shoal is well within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), as upheld by the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.
He also invoked the newly enacted Philippine Maritime Zones Act (Republic Act No. 12064), which defines the maritime boundaries and asserts the country’s rights under international law.
“This aggressive maneuver not only endangered the lives of our brave maritime personnel but also constitutes a blatant violation of international law and the Philippines’ sovereign rights,” he said.
The senator also raised alarm over a separate incident involving a Chinese research vessel spotted near Batanes, close to Taiwan’s northern coast, which he described as a “deeply troubling concern.”
He said the vessel’s presence in the northern maritime zone highlights Beijing’s increasing assertiveness and poses a serious threat to regional security and stability.
