NTF-WPS scores Chinese harassment of PH ships on resupply mission

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 7, 2023): NTF-WPS scores Chinese harassment of PH ships on resupply mission (By Priam Nepomuceno)

(Photo courtesy of Philippine Coast Guard)

MANILA – The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) slammed China's attempts to block Philippine efforts to resupply its troops stationed in Ayungin Shoal over the weekend.

Such acts violate humanitarian and international laws as the Philippines was only conducting legal activities to support its troops manning the BRP Sierra Madre located in Philippine territory, according to National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya.

"The NTF-WPS led by National Security Adviser Eduardo M. Año strongly condemned the aggressive, dangerous and unlawful actions by the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) vessels against Philippine-chartered supply boats and Philippine Coast Guard vessels who are undertaking a regular rotation and resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal last Saturday, August 5, 2023," Malaya said during their joint briefing with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday.

He said the "repeated water cannoning and continuous dangerous maneuvers" by the CCG and CMM vessels put the lives of the crew members of the Philippine vessels in danger.

"We wish to underscore that the Philippine vessels were undertaking regular and lawful activities in support of BRP Sierra Madre (LST-57), a commissioned Philippine vessel permanently stationed in Ayungin Shoal which is well within our continental shelf and exclusive economic zone," he added.

Malaya also blamed the CCG and CMM's "dangerous and unlawful tactics" for preventing the second Philippine supply boat from completing its mission of bringing food, water, and other provisions to Filipino troops.

At one point, Malaya said a CCG vessel blocked the way of a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship within 20 yards, a maneuver that could have resulted in a collision, if not for the quick thinking and action of Filipino coast guard crews.

"The dangerous and illegal tactics employed which are evidenced by photos, videos, and other official report(s) are a clear and unmistakable violation of domestic laws, the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award which recognizes the Philippines' rights in the West Philippine Sea," he added.

Malaya also emphasized that the CCG and CMM vessels have no right to place a blockade or impede or otherwise control the movement of the PCG and Philippine supply boats in Ayungin Shoal or anywhere else in WPS, especially when these vessels are engaged in resupplying Filipino troops deployed there.

"While one Philippine supply boat was blocked by Chinese vessels from reaching the shoal, another Philippine supply boat was able to break the blockade and successfully delivered much needed supplies and provisions to BRP Sierra Madre," he added.

For this exemplary action, Malaya said the NTF-WPS commended the men and women of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command, the Philippine Navy and the PCG, for their daring, bravery, and commitment to duty, despite all odds, and despite the continuous Chinese bullying, harassment and intimidation.

"We demand that the Government of the People's Republic of China immediately cease and desist all its coercive, unlawful, unacceptable activities in the WPS. Guided by the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in his second State of the Nation Address, the Philippine Government will continue to uphold its sovereign rights and preserve our nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity," he added.

Malaya also assured the Filipino people that the government "will not lose any inch of our territory."

He also added that the government will never waver in its determination to resupply the country's troops stationed in Ayungin Shoal and other Philippine-occupied features.

Under the Marcos administration, Malaya said the government will continue to uphold the implementation of the 2016 Arbitral Award in relation to our rights in the West Philippine Sea in defense of a rules-based international order.

"Our position is clear, The Award is final and indisputable and we firmly reject attempts to undermine it but guided by the President, we will always pursue constant dialogue and diplomatic approaches with other claimants towards the resolution of any issue that may arise," he added.

In the same briefing, PCG spokesperson for WPS Commodore Jay Tariela said the morale of the crew of the two vessels involved -- BRP Cabra and BRP Malabrigo -- remains high.

“The PCG will continue to support missions by the AFP,” Tarriela said.

He noted that the PCG’s multi-role response vessels (MRRVs) such as these said vessels are also equipped with water cannons, “but unlike the CCG, we will not use that against them.”

“They are for firefighting and that's how we intend to use that,” he said.

Meanwhile, AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar said the number of Philippine assets for the conduct of future resupply missions has already been increased and added that he cannot reveal exact details for security considerations.

“We will do what is necessary for [BRP Sierra Madre] to continue to stand [in Ayungin Shoal],” he said.

He also rejected China’s call for the Philippines to tow away the grounded vessel.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has since summoned Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian and demanded the immediate cessation of China’s illegal activities and to “stop interfering in legitimate Philippine government activities".

To date, the DFA said about 445 diplomatic protests have been filed against China since 2020. (with report from Raymond dela Cruz/PNA)

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1207295