AFP chief: 'Great restraint' prevented escalation of WPS tension

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 20, 2024): AFP chief: 'Great restraint' prevented escalation of WPS tension (By Miguel Gil)

RECKLESS AND ILLEGAL. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. (left) denounces the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) for its hostile actions against Philippine troops inside Philippine jurisdiction, during a press briefing in Puerto Princesa City on Wednesday (June 19, 2024). Meanwhile, Rear Admiral Alfonso Torres. Jr. lauded Philippine Navy personnel involved in an encounter with the CCG on Monday (June 17, 2024) for their restraint. (Video grab by Izza Reynoso)

PUERTO PRINCESA, Palawan – The Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) leadership said it was the “reckless and illegal” actions of the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) that caused injury to several Philippine Navy (PN) personnel while delivering fresh supplies to the crew of the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal at the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

The AFP leadership emphasized, however, that PN personnel exercised great restraint during Monday’s confrontation with the CCG, which is why the incident did not deteriorate any further despite the theft and vandalization of Philippine government equipment.

In a press conference here on Wednesday, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. maintained that the morale of Philippine troops protecting the West Philippine Sea (WPS) remains high despite escalating hostility from Chinese forces, which caused serious injury to one Filipino soldier and lesser injuries to at least seven others.

“They had no right to hijack and destroy Philippine vessels operating within our exclusive economic zone. This behavior resulted in severe injuries to one of our Navy personnel and stands as a stark violation of international maritime law, Philippine sovereignty, and sovereign rights,” he said.

Brawner said the core of the problem in the WPS is the continued presence and activities of Chinese vessels inside Philippine territory.

He emphasized that the “continued aggressive behavior of the Chinese coast guard is what escalates tensions in the area.”

The AFP chief noted that earlier on Wednesday, he visited the PN personnel directly involved in the interrupted rotation and reprovisioning (RoRe) mission on Monday, including the Naval Special Operations Group (NAVSOG) soldier who lost a finger during the scuffle with Chinese troops, who he identified only as Seaman 1st class Facundo.

Brawner said all the soldiers involved in the mission were awarded medals for their bravery.

During the same press briefing, Rear Admiral Alfonso Torres, Jr., who heads the Western Command (Wescom), said the CCG personnel were able to seize the weapons and puncture the rubber boats of the PN personnel because Philippine troops involved in RORE missions are required to keep their firearms in gun cases to deescalate an often tense situation.

“One of our guidance when it comes to the conduct of RoRe is no firearms will be handed or shown by our personnel to the CCG personnel, and we are doing that to avoid misperception that we are conducting an armed operation,” he explained.

Torres pointed out that the CCG took advantage of the Philippine troops’ restraint to “loot” their firearms and destroy their boats.

However, despite the foreigners’ aggression, “our personnel observed firmness, patience, and resilience when they were illegally boarded by the Chinese coast guard,” he said. (With a report from Izza Reynoso/PNA)

 
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1227270