DEFEND WPS. After China's recent aggression in the West Philippine Sea, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Sunday (Dec. 10, 2023) that the country would defend and protect its jurisdiction. The President said only the Philippines has the legitimate right to operate anywhere in the West Philippine Sea. (PNA file photo)
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said China's aggressive actions against Filipino vessels further steeled the country's determination to defend and protect the nation's jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
"The aggression and provocations perpetrated by the China Coast Guard and their Chinese Maritime Militia against our vessels and personnel over the weekend have only further steeled our determination to defend and protect our nation's sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea," Marcos said in a statement posted in his social media accounts late Sunday evening.
On Sunday, China Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese maritime militia (CMM) vessels water-cannoned Philippine boats and their escorts that were on a regular rotation and resupply (RORE) mission to the BRP Sierra Made (LS-57) in Ayungin Shoal.
"I have been in constant communication with our national security and defense leadership, and have directed our uniformed services to conduct their missions with the utmost regard for the safety of our personnel, yet proceed with a mission-oriented mindset," the President said.
He reiterated that Ayungin Shoal is within the country's Exclusive Economic Zone and that "any foreign claim of sovereignty over it is baseless and absolutely contrary to international law."
"Bajo de Masinloc is sovereign Philippine territory and an integral part of our archipelago," he said. "No one but the Philippines has a legitimate right or legal basis to operate anywhere in the West Philippine Sea. The illegal presence in our waters and dangerous actions against our citizens is an outright and blatant violation of international law and the rules-based international order."
Marcos also thanked the country's armed forces and assured them of the government's continued support.
"To our gallant service members, be assured of our utmost gratitude and fullest support. We remain undeterred," he said.
Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday said its chief, Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., was the first sitting AFP chief of staff to have set foot on BRP Sierra Madre (LS-57).
Brawner has experienced firsthand the risks faced by the regular resupply missions as the China Coast Guard and its maritime militia continue their attempts to obstruct said missions, the AFP said.
Brawner was aboard the Unaizah Mae 1 (UM1) which was among the four Filipino ships that were deployed for Sunday's regular resupply and rotation (RORE) mission to the detachment manning the BRP Sierra Madre that is keeping watch over Ayungin Shoal.
Brawner was accompanied by Western Command (Wescom) chief Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos.
The AFP chief personally conveyed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s appreciation and Yuletide greeting to the troops manning the ship.
AFP public affairs office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said Brawner had an early "Noche Buena" with the troops aboard the BRP Sierra Madre after which he underscored the importance in establishing the country’s presence and jurisdiction within its maritime zone.
“We value your service and sacrifice which demonstrates the Filipino’s indomitable spirit in asserting our rights and performing our obligations under international law,” Brawner said. "Your President is with you, I am with you, the whole Filipino nation is with you."
During Sunday's RORE mission, China Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) launched aggressive actions against Philippine resupply boats and their escorts, damaging two out of the four Filipino craft involved in the operation.
"Today, 10 December 2023, CCG and CMM vessels harassed, blocked, and executed dangerous maneuvers on Philippine civilian supply vessels, in another attempt to illegally impede or obstruct a routine RORE to BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal. CCG vessel 5204 deployed a water cannon against the Philippine supply vessels causing severe damage to M/L Kalayaan’s engines, disabling the vessel and seriously endangering the lives of its crew. Currently, PCG vessel BRP Sindangan (MRRV-4407) is safely towing M/L Kalayaan back to Ulugan Bay, Palawan," the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) earlier said.
It added that BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409) sustained damage in its mast after being directly targeted by a CCG water cannon.
"The PCG vessels and the resupply boats Unaizah Mae 1 (UM1) and M/L Kalayaan were subjected to reckless and dangerous harassment at close range by CCG and CMM vessels on their approach to Ayungin Shoal. Contrary to China Coast Guard disinformation, UM1 was rammed by CCG 21556. Despite these extreme and reckless actions, UM1 successfully reached BRP Sierra Madre," NTF-WPS added.
AFP chief recounts Chinese harrassment
In a media interview, Brawner recalled the CCG ships trying to ram UM1 and firing water cannons at them.
"Tapos gusto pa kaming atrasan nung Coast Guard (CCG), ki-nut kami sa harap. Nung lampas na siya, tutuloy na sana kami, aatrasan pa kami kaya (The CCG ship tried to go into reverse to hit us, initially it tried to cut us in front but then it overshot, and we were proceeding on our course, and then it tried to hit us)," he recounted.
Brawner said he sought permission from the Chief Executive that he will be joining Sunday's RORE.
Marcos approved his request and instructed the AFP chief to convey his Christmas greeting to the troops and bring them gifts.
Brawner said he was used to visiting troops in the field when he was still a division commander.
"Di ba nung minsan nung division commander ako dumalaw ako dun sa operating base sa, dito sa Bukidnon, binaril yung chopper namin, nag-emergency landing kami, so ganun talaga ang trabaho ng commander (One time when I was division commander, I visited a forward operating base in Bukidnon, at that time our chopper was shot and we have to make an emergency landing, it's part of the job of being commander)," he added.
He said they boarded UM1 for the voyage home and later transferred to a Navy ship as it was much faster.
He noted that his visit to the troops aboard BRP Sierra Madre highlights importance to their task in securing Ayungin Shoal.
"We give importance to our troops in the BRP Sierra Madre, we give importance to their presence in Ayungin Shoal because it is a symbol of our sovereign rights in our exclusive economic zone," he said.
Brawner said he will be meeting with Department of National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. to discuss possible actions in wake of this latest Chinese harassment. (PNA)
