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The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Tuesday said it hoped Chinese officials would discuss a possible new agreement in the West Philippine Sea after fresh tensions between the two countries erupted this week. The coast guard made the statement as the policy-setting National Maritime Council said the Philippines remains committed to diplomacy and a peaceful resolution to disputes in the West Philippine Sea, the part of the South China Sea within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. Two PCG vessels — BRP Bagacay and BRP Cape Engaño — sustained serious damage Monday in pre-dawn collisions with Chinese vessels that made "unlawful and aggressive maneuvers" near Escoda shoal, Manila said. In a statement Tuesday, the US State department also called on China "to abide by international law and desist from its dangerous and destabilizing conduct." Tarriela, referencing a recent agreement the two nations agreed upon regarding resupply missions for Filipino troops stationed at BRP Sierra Madre in a different part of the waterway, said parties were able to reach an arrangement despite incidents around Ayungin Shoal. Tarriela added that the vessels damaged in Monday's tensions still carried out their mission and are at Pag-asa Island, which is part of Palawan province. The National Maritime Council on Tuesday said the Philippines is "seriously concerned" over Chinese actions against the PCG ships, saying these were "deliberate harassment and infringement by China against Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea."
