DFA urges restraint after attack on Vietnamese fishermen in South China Sea

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has called for self-restraint from both Vietnam and China following an incident where Vietnamese fishermen were allegedly attacked and robbed by Chinese maritime authorities near the Paracel Islands.

The DFA is aware of the September 29, 2024 incident, which involved 40 people attacking Vietnamese fisherfolk for three hours near a Chinese-occupied island in the Paracels, resulting in four injured fishermen.

The Philippines strongly condemns the use of force, aggression, and intimidation within the South China Sea and stresses the importance of genuine self-restraint from all parties involved.

The DFA emphasized that ensuring the safety of vessels and their crew, particularly fisherfolk, is a fundamental obligation for all nations.

The Vietnamese Foreign Ministry condemned the Chinese law enforcement forces' "brutal behavior," stating it violated Vietnam's sovereignty over the Paracels.

The DFA hopes for a peaceful resolution to disputes in the South China Sea, advocating for adherence to international law, specifically the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).