Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. downplayed recent Chinese maritime exercises near Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, saying the activities are nothing out of the ordinary and will not deter the Philippines from asserting its rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

“Wala naman kaming nakikitang kakaiba. Of course may presence doon pero ‘yung mga kunwaring… We have monitored increased presence, hindi lang sa Ayungin. Well, sometimes nag iincrease, sometimes hindi. Baka dahil din kakatapos lang ng Exercise ALON na pinakamalaki na ginanap sa Palawan (We don’t really see anything unusual. Of course, there is a presence there, but those so-called… We have monitored an increased presence not only in Ayungin. Well, sometimes it increases, sometimes it doesn’t. It may also be because Exercise ALON, the largest one held in Palawan, has just concluded),” he said during the National Heroes Day celebration at Libingan ng Mga Bayani (LNMB) in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Monday, Aug. 25.

The defense emphasized that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) remains committed to its routine operations in the WPS, including support and resupply missions for troops stationed on BRP Sierra Madre, which serves as the country’s outpost on Ayungin Shoal.

He noted that while China frequently conducts exercises and activities in the South China Sea, the Philippines has its own obligations to defend its territory and ensure that its maritime forces are not hindered in carrying out their duties.

“To change our stance will be great detriment [to] our national interest. That is something nobody can do under our Constitution and our moral obligation,” Teodoro said.

The AFP earlier disclosed that it monitored five China Coast Guard (CCG) ships, 11 rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) and fast boats, as well as nine Chinese maritime militia vessels, a Chinese helicopter and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) conducting maritime drills near BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.

The AFP said the CCG ships performed water cannon drills while the fast boats were armed with mounted weapons and tried to get near BRP Sierra Madre. The BRP Sierra Madre deployed a boat to repel the Chinese boats.

AFP Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said the Chinese forces must have been deployed to the disputed shoal for China to save face after the embarrassing Aug. 11 collision of a Chinese navy warship and a coast guard vessel in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough or Panatag Shoal).

Teodoro said that although troops in the area were safe and no sound threat was evident, they were directed to be vigilant.

“At this time wala po kaming nakikita but of course laging listo. Hindi mo alam eh kung ano ang nasa isip ng mga ‘yan (At this time, we do not see anything, but of course they should remain vigilant. You never really know what’s on the minds [of the Chinese forces],” he said.