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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Wag niyo subukan ang tropa!' Soldiers prepared to respond if Chinese forces try to board BRP Sierra Madre – AFP

'Wag niyo subukan ang tropa!' Soldiers prepared to respond if Chinese forces try to board BRP Sierra Madre – AFP

Published Aug 22, 2025 01:22 pm
Chinese fast boats and a rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB) mounted with a heavy crew-served weapon are seen maneuvering in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal on Aug. 20, 2025. (Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines)
Chinese fast boats and a rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB) mounted with a heavy crew-served weapon are seen maneuvering in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal on Aug. 20, 2025. (Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines)
Combat-tested sailors and marines guarding the BRP Sierra Madre (LS-57), a Philippine Navy warship grounded in the waters of Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal), are ready to defend the country’s outpost in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) if Chinese forces ever try to board it, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Friday, Aug. 22.
AFP spokesperson for WPS Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad made the remark after China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels and small boats armed with mounted weapons conducted maritime drills in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal on Aug. 20.
“This is a form of intimidation. They are trying to intimidate us. They are trying to coerce us by showing their capability. But for us, we already know that they have been doing it even before. Our soldiers will not be shaken by this display of the Chinese forces,” he said.
Although there was tension, Trinidad said the troops onboard the BRP Sierra Madre “have never been intimidated.”
“We do not speculate but we have appropriate contingency measures in place,” he said when asked about the possibility of Chinese forces boarding the BRP Sierra Madre.
“Ang mga tropa natin mga beterano ito. They’ve been to more dangerous situations. Lahat ito beterano sa gulo ng ating bansa sa Mindanao. They have been fighting for our country. Hindi sila matitinag sa ganito (Our troops are veteran fighters. They’ve been to more dangerous situations. All of them are veterans in conflicts in Mindanao. They have been fighting four our country. They will not be deterred by this),” he added.
And Trinidad said this is because of one thing: all AFP soldiers are convinced of the legitimacy of the country’s stand in its territorial dispute with China in the WPS.
“They are convinced we are in the right. Secondly, they believe we are fighting for the nation and the future of every Filipino. Number three, they know we are backed up by international law. This means that this mission or operation or stand is not a fight where the troops do not know what they are fighting about,” the admiral noted.
The AFP said it will also be prepared in case Chinese forces harass the next scheduled resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal, stressing that they are ready to act within the rules of engagement.
“We assure that the equipment is ready and the troops are prepared. They have sufficient food and supplies, and their actions are within the rules of engagement that state the use of force is not allowed for mission accomplishment. You cannot shoot somebody who blocks you, or use excessive force except only in self-defense,” Trinidad said without revealing information on the next schedule of the resupply mission so as not to jeopardize it.
Related story: https://mb.com.ph/2025/08/22/whats-happening-in-ayungin-afp-monitors-armed-chinese-boats-coast-guard-ships-in-disputed-shoal

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AFP Ayungin Shoal WPS
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