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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Brawner belies China Coast Guard claim on resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal

Brawner belies China Coast Guard claim on resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal

Published Aug 23, 2023 09:44 am

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. refuted on Wednesday, August 23, the China Coast Guard’s (CCG) claim that it allowed the boats chartered by the AFP to reach Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal out of humanitarian purposes so it could deliver fresh food, water, and other supplies to soldiers onboard BRP Sierra Madre during a recent resupply mission.

BRP Cabra is blocked by two China Coast Guard vessels during a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on Aug. 22, 2023. (Courtesy of Philippine Coast Guard)
BRP Cabra is blocked by two China Coast Guard vessels during a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on Aug. 22, 2023. (Courtesy of Philippine Coast Guard)

In fact, Brawner said that the CCG deployed ships and maritime militia vessels to “shadow” and block Unaiza May 1 and Unaiza May 2 supply boats and its escort ships from the Philippine Coast Guard, BRP Cabra and BRP Sindangan, during the follow up rotation and reprovision (RORE) mission on Tuesday, August 22.

“Hindi totoo ‘yun. Hindi tayo nagkaroon ng arrangement with them (That’s not true. We never had an arrangement with them),” Brawner told reporters at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

Brawner also revealed that the CCG operated its water cannon although it did not direct them towards the Philippine vessels this time.

"The mere fact that you operated your water cannons, that means they are giving a warning. They really want to stop our resupply mission. They did not point it to our boats but they were flexing their muscles," he said.

The CCG earlier said that the supply boats were allowed to reach Ayungin Shoal, which it calls Ren’ai Jiao, for humanitarian reasons.

It said that “temporary special arrangements” were made for the Philippine boats to deliver the supplies to the troops onboard BRP Sierra Madre “from a humanitarian point of view.”

The CCG earlier blocked and fired water cannon at the supply boats during the initial resupply mission last August 5, drawing criticisms from the international community.

Brawner insisted that the AFP need not to make an arrangement with the CCG since Ayungin Shoal is within the 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, and BRP Sierra Madre is an active commissioned vessel of the Philippine Navy.

“We don’t need to make arrangements or even ask permission from them because [BRP Sierra Madre] is a commissioned ship of the Philippine Navy. It is our right, it is our obligation to make sure that our soldiers have the necessary provisions and supplies,” the military chief stressed.

“They have no right to interfere with our operations since our destination is within our exclusive economic zone,” he added.

Ayungin Shoal, located around 106 nautical miles from Palawan, is being claimed by both the Philippines and China.

In 1999, the Philippines intentionally ran aground BRP Sierra Madre, a Navy warship, on the atoll to serve as a military outpost in the area.

Brawner said that despite the harrassment, the AFP will continue its resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal.

"Whether they will allow us or prevent us, we are decided to continue our resupply mission," he noted.

Related Tags

Resupply mission AFP General Romeo Brawner Jr. Ayungin Shoal
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