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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Philippines does not consider violent resupply mission as armed attack but misunderstanding—Palace official

Philippines does not consider violent resupply mission as armed attack but misunderstanding—Palace official

Published Jun 21, 2024 10:31 am

It was a misunderstanding, and not an armed attack.

This was how the Philippines classified the recent violent resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal where Filipino navy troopers were injured, including one whose finger got cut off, when Chinese vessels drove their vessel away.  

AFP CCG Resupply mission Ayungin Shoal.jpg
A China Coast Guard (CCG) personnel is caught on camera while brandishing a pickaxe in front of an Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) soldier during a resupply mission at BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal on June 17, 2024. (Courtesy of AFP) 

"No. Well, you know this was probably a misunderstanding or an accident," Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said in a Palace briefing on Friday, June 21, when asked if the Philippine Government considered it as an armed attack.  

"We're not yet ready to classify this as an armed attack. I don't know kung yung mga nakita namin (if the things that we saw) is bolo, ax, nothing beyond that," Bersamin added.

The Executive Secretary also said that the government is not yet considering to take the matter to a higher international body, stressing that the recent incident could be resolved soon.

"That's not yet into consideration because I think this is a matter that can easily be resolved very soon by us, and if China wants to work with us, we can. We'll work with China," he said.

Meanwhile, Presidential Office for Maritime Concerns (POMC) headed by Secretary Andres Centino disclosed that President Marcos was "composed" when he learned about the incident and asked concerned Cabinet members to discuss the matter with him.

"The President has always been composed. Immediately he asked the concerned Cabinet secretaries to discuss the matter with him, that's also the imprimatur why we had this National Maritime Council convened today," Centino said.

According to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), China Coast Guard (CCG) intentionally rammed the supply boats of the AFP that were engaged in a resupply mission at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal on Monday, June 17.
 

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