The Philippine military outpost at Ayungin Shoal won't be abandoned.
Malacañang, through Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, gave this guarantee Friday, Nov. 19 on the heels of last Tuesday's incident wherein three Chinese Coast Guard vessels blocked two Philippine supply boats from reaching Ayungin.
"Walang abandonment na mangyari dyan (No abandonment will take place), Nograles said during a virtual press conference
Prior to this, the acting presidential spokesperson was asked whether or not the Philippine government was mulling the pull-out of the troops stationed at the shoal in order to avoid confrontations with regional power China.
"Patuloy pa rin, itinutuloy namin at gagawin namin ang lahat at ang nararapat para makarating ang mga supplies doon para sa ating mga kapwa Pilipino (We will continue, we will do whatever we can to replenish the supply of our fellow Filipinos there)," Nograles said.
It was only Thursday, Nov.18 when Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. bared and condemned this "illegal" action of the Chinese Coast Guard.
Locsin said the Philippine boats were on their way to transport food to Philippine military personnel in Ayungin Shoal when they were “blocked and water cannoned” by the foreign vessels.
The country’s top diplomatic subsequently sent his strong "outrage, condemnation, and protest" to Chinese authorities.
"So we stand by the swift actions of the Department of Foreign Affairs and we are confident that the DFA will do whatever is necessary," Nograles said.
"We will continue to assert our sovereignty and sovereign rights, our jurisdiction over Ayungin Shoal and all other territories within our jurisdiction including our EEZ (exclusive economic zone)," underscored the Cabinet Secretary.