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China already threatening to use force vs PH in dealing with WPS issue: maritime law expert

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Bianca Dava, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Atty. Jay Batongbacal, Director of the UP Institute of Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea during a forum on West Philippine Sea 3 years after the Arbitral Victory at University of the Philippines, BGC on July 12, 2019. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/news/10/10/20190712-alfred-delos-santos-jc-15-2.jpg"/><figcaption>Atty. Jay Batongbacal, Director of the UP Institute of Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea during a forum on West Philippine Sea 3 years after the Arbitral Victory at University of the Philippines, BGC on July 12, 2019. <em>Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA -- A maritime law expert believes Beijing is already threatening to use force against Manila in dealing with the West Philippine issues.</p><p>This, after a People’s Liberation Army Navy vessel came just half a nautical mile close to the Philippine resupply team during the recent resupply and rotation mission to Ayungin Shoal.</p><p>This marks the Philippine Coast Guard’s closest encounter with the warship.</p><p>“That is already an indication that China is threatening to use force against the Philippines. Probably preparing, as well,” University of the Philippines Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea director Atty. Jay Batongbacal told ABS-CBN News on Tuesday.</p><p>“Aggressive in the sense that they are really trying to provoke the Philippines to act so they will have an excuse to take more drastic and violent actions,” he added.</p><p>With China’s actions becoming more aggressive, Batongbacal said the government should stand its ground based on international law and must not be provoked “into making the first move” that would allow Beijing to escalate the matter.</p><p>“The government must not allow itself to be provoked into making the first move to give China any excuse for an overwhelming and disproportionate response. The government should continue to stand its ground based on international law and insist on China’s compliance with the law and peaceful modes of dispute settlement,” Batongbacal said.</p><p>During the October 4 resupply mission, the resupply boats and the PCG ships were blocked nine times and shadowed three times by Chinese coast guard and maritime militia vessels.</p><p>The PCG also recorded an alarming incident where a CCG vessel came within only a meter of the PCG’s BRP Sindangan.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/10/23/china-reiterates-sovereignty-over-ayungin">China tells PH to stop &#x27;groundless attacks, smears&#x27;</a></li></ul><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cxf5gz8XO0c?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div>

 A maritime law expert believes Beijing is already threatening to use force against Manila in dealing with the West Philippine issues.

China already threatening to use force vs PH in dealing with WPS issue: maritime law expert

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China already threatening to use force vs PH in dealing with WPS issue: maritime law expert

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published October 10, 2023 07:39 PM PHT

Read More:

Ayungin Shoal

China Coast Guard

use of force

West Philippine Sea

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