US calls on Philippines, China to exercise restraint after Recto Bank incident

June 16, 2019

The United States has called on the Philippines and China to exercise restraint following the alleged Chinese ship-ramming incident near Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea.

In a statement, the US advised countries to refrain from using coercion and intimidation to assert their maritime claims over the South China Sea.

“We saw news reports of the collision at sea. We are thankful none of the Filipino fishermen lost their lives and glad that Vietnamese fishermen rescued them from the open sea," the US Embassy said, in a statement.

While calling on all nation-claimants for a peaceful resolution over disputed territories, the US has been playing a pivotal role in maintaining the peace and stability in the area by invoking and exercising freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, a strategic international sea lane

"Our position on the South China Sea is clear: We support lawful uses of the sea, respect for international law, unimpeded lawful commerce, and peace and stability. We urge all parties to refrain from using coercion and intimidation to assert their territorial and maritime claims," the US Embassy stressed.

A Chinese vessel rammed and sank the a Philippine fishing boat on the evening of June 9, and left 22 Filipino crewmen abandoned "to the mercy of the elements," said Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

The Department of Foreign Affairs had filed a diplomatic protest over the ship-ramming incident.

While it denied that it was a hit-and-run incident, the Chinese Embassy said it would "continue to properly handle this issue with the Philippines in a serious and responsible manner." DMS