The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday, April 15, condemned as “irresponsible and unacceptable” the reported use of cyanide in Ayungin Shoal, warning of serious environmental damage and signaling a possible diplomatic response as it awaits the results of a scientific...
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) monitored a total of 28 Chinese vessels across key features in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) during the second week of this month. Data released by the military on Tuesday, April 14, showed the presence of Chinese People 's Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N)...
Several bottles recovered from traditional Chinese boats near Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) last year were confirmed to have contained cyanide, a highly toxic chemical compound, raising fears of possible sabotage targeting fish supplies and coral reef in the area,...
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has uncovered espionage efforts that sought information about personnel deployed on the grounded warship BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, including details that could be used to pressure their families. Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, AFP...
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Monday, Oct. 27, that it has intercepted Chinese fishing vessels allegedly engaged in illegal fishing activities near Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). The AFP said personnel of the Western Command (Wescom) based in...
Due to bad weather conditions, the number of Chinese vessels monitored around Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal has significantly decreased from 24 to nine, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) disclosed Monday, Sept. 8. AFP spokesperson for West Philippine Sea (WPS) Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad...
Two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ships stood their ground against 24 Chinese vessels during a possible rotation and resupply (RORE) mission of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Friday, Sept. 5. Rear Adm. Roy Vincent...
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Tuesday, Aug. 26, that it is closely monitoring the presence of a Chinese tugboat near the grounded BRP Sierra Madre (LS57) in Ayungin Shoal, West Philippine Sea (WPS). Tugboats are primarily used for towing larger vessels. The Chinese tugboat...
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...
Sailors and marines onboard BRP Sierra Madre (LS57) drove away intruding Chinese vessels, effectively diffusing the tense situation in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. confirmed this on Sunday,...
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal will continue under Manila’s Provisional Understanding with Beijing, despite reports of increased Chinese vessel activity in the area. “The rotation and resupply (RORE) missions to the BRP...
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...
