Manila: The United States, Canada, and the European Union (EU) expressed concern over recent actions by the China Coast Guard (CCG) that resulted in a minor collision and damage to a Filipino civilian vessel during a humanitarian mission off Palawan on September 18.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Canadian Embassy in Manila released a statement on Saturday expressing concern about the Chinese Coast Guard's deliberate ramming into a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) enforcement vessel off the coast of the Philippines. The statement highlighted that such dangerous maneuvers threaten regional peace and stability.

US Ambassador Lee Lipton, in a post on X, strongly condemned the incident and praised the professionalism of the BFAR personnel on the Filipino vessel. "We strongly condemn the China Coast Guard's deliberate ramming of the Philippine BFAR vessel near Bombay Shoal, just 54 miles off the coast of Palawan. We commend the sustained professionalism of our Philippine Allies in the face of this dangerous, destabilizing act," he stated.

Similarly, the EU Delegation in Manila expressed deep concern over the incident. EU Ambassador to the Philippines, Massimo Santoro, emphasized the dangers posed by such maneuvers and highlighted the importance of adhering to international maritime laws, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award, for maritime security and safety.

In a separate statement, the National Maritime Council (NMC) criticized the CCG's actions as illegal, coercive, aggressive, and dangerous, placing the civilian crew of the BFAR vessel at risk during a legitimate mission. The NMC underscored the importance of prioritizing safety at sea and called for maximum restraint, professional seamanship, and adherence to international maritime safety rules by all vessels operating in the area.

The NMC affirmed its commitment to supporting Filipino fisherfolk and upholding the Philippines' maritime rights. "Our seas are part of our national identity and patrimony. We will continue to support our fisherfolk and government personnel who serve the country at sea, and we will remain steadfast in upholding our lawful rights and national interests in our maritime domain with courage, unity, and respect for the rule of law," the NMC added.