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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'We can work with China': PH won't invoke MDT nor bring Ayungin incident to int'l body

'We can work with China': PH won't invoke MDT nor bring Ayungin incident to int'l body

Published Jun 22, 2024 02:34 am

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin downplayed the latest Ayungin Shoal incident where the China Coast Guard (CCG) reportedly rammed, boarded, and used axes to damage two Philippine Navy (PN) boats.

Bersamin_Centino.jpg(From left) Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Presidential Assistant on Maritime Concerns Andres Centino (RTVM screenshots)

 

In a Palace press briefing late Friday afternoon, June 21, the official stressed that the Philippines is willing to work with China and has no plans yet to bring the case before a higher international body.
 

Bersamin said that the government does not consider the confrontation on June 17 as an armed attack, which was stated in the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) that obligates the United States to come to the Philippines’ aid.
 

“This was probably a misunderstanding or an accident. We’re not yet ready to classify this as an armed attack,” he said. “We saw bolo, axe, nothing beyond that.”
 

He also added that bringing the case before another international body is not yet in consideration because the Philippines is willing to work with China to resolve the dispute.
 

“That’s not yet in 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 work with China,” the official told reporters.
 

The National Maritime Council (NMC), which Bersamin heads, also recommended to President Marcos to give notice about the schedule of regular rotation and reprovision (RORE) missions to the grounded BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.
 

He stressed that the missions will continue despite China’s latest provocative actions.
 

The June 17 incident at Ayungin Shoal has reportedly injured one Navy officer, who lost his right thumb, and damaged a Philippine vessel, including their communication and navigation equipment.
 

Asked about the Philippines’ invocation of the defense treaty with the US, Presidential Assistant on Maritime Concerns retired General Andres Centino said, “that has not been considered in our discussions.”
 

He also maintained that despite the incident with the China Coast Guard (CCG), the troops in the Western Command still have high morale.
 

The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) visited the troops after the incident.
 

“He was able to talk with those who were sent to conduct the mission. While the mission did not go as planned, we saw that the morale of our troops is high and we even made sure that those soldiers were recognized and acknowledged for their actions, their behavior in handling the incident that happened last Monday,” Centino remarked.

Related Tags

Lucas Bersamin Andres Centino Ayungin Shoal China Coast Guard National Maritime Council
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