MANILA – The Philippines is eyeing to file a case before an international body against China after two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels were damaged after being subjected to “unlawful and aggressive maneuvers” by China Coast Guard (CCG) ships in the waters adjacent to Escoda Shoal at the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Retired Vice Admiral Alexander Lopez, the newly-appointed spokesperson of the National Maritime Council (NMC), said the country is looking at going beyond filing a diplomatic protest and elevating the incident to another body.

“We are looking at that, especially at the part of the Coast Guard because they know more of how to go about it,” he said in a Palace press briefing Tuesday.

Presidential Assistant on Maritime Concerns Secretary Andres Centino said the Solicitor General was among the three new members of the NMC, which may complement the country’s intent to pursue a legal action against China before an international body.

“One of these three is the Solicitor General, so that actually signifies the intent of the government to consider, perhaps a filing of a case,” Centino, a retired military general, said.

Pressed what international body the country is looking to bring the case, Centino said: “I would suppose there are United Nation bodies.”

The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea said the PCG’s BRP Bagacay (MRRV-4410) and BRP Cape Engaño (MRRV-4411) were damaged after they were harassed and rammed by CCG vessels while en route to Patag and Lawak Islands near Escoda Shoal early Monday.

Escoda Shoal is a coral reef formation just some 70 nautical miles off mainland Palawan, well within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

Diplomatic protest

Meanwhile, a diplomatic protest over the incident is also in the offing, Lopez said, adding that the PCG has been tasked to collect and submit evidence to complement the filing.

While the Philippines remains steadfast in protecting its sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea, Lopez said the country continues to pursue diplomacy in addressing the WPS dispute.

“We can never go wrong by using this diplomatic and peaceful approach and we are compliant to the Code of Conduct that we have signed in 2002 – that among others, parties will restraint ‘no, will exercise restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate or even escalate the dispute in the area among others,” he said.

Unified communication

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. appointed Lopez as the official mouthpiece of the NMC early August.

Centino said Lopez’ appointment aims to come up with a “unified messaging” into the issues related to the WPS.

“His designation authorizes him to speak on behalf of the National Maritime Council and without prejudice, of course, to the roles of the different spokespersons of the agencies under the National Maritime Council,” he said.

Lopez boasts a 38-year military service in his background, including a stint as Commander of the Western Command which covers WPS.

More Chinese naval, coast guard vessels seen

In its latest report, the Philippine Navy (PN) said 18 China Coast Guard vessels (CCGVs) were spotted from Aug. 13 to 19 in the area, higher than the 13 CCGVs seen from Aug. 6 to 12.

Meanwhile, the number of Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels soared to 13, from last week’s nine vessels.

The number of Chinese Maritime Militia Vessels (CMMVs) spotted in the WPS also climbed to 98, from 68 in the previous week.

However, no Chinese Research Survey Vessels (CRSVs) were sighted during this period, compared to the two vessels spotted last week.

In the same report, the number of CMMVs are broken down into 41 in the Ayungin Shoal; 30 in Pagasa Island; 12 in Sabina Shoal; six in Bajo de Masinloc; three in Kota Island; three in Lawak Island; two in Iroquois Reef and one in Panata Island.

Meanwhile, PLAN ships were spotted in the following locations in the WPS — three in Bajo de Masinloc; two in Likas Island; two in Lawak Island; two in Patag Island; two in Sabina Shoal; one in Panata, and one in Pagasa Island.

Out of the CCGVs, five were in Ayungin Shoal; five in Sabina Shoal; four in Bajo de Masinloc; two in Patag; one in Lawak; and another one in Pagasa Island.