National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya (File photo)
MANILA – Only one China Coast Guard (CCG) ship is left within the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal where the BRP Sierra Madre (LS-57) is standing watch, National Security Council (NSC) Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said Monday.
Malaya made this comment following claims there were 11 Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) ships in and around Ayungin Shoal and reportedly on "invasion mode".
"Sa ngayon po naka-monitor tayo ngayon, I got the latest data na 'yung CMM ay umalis na po lahat ano, they already left as of yesterday's report and na-confirm din natin ngayong umaga (We are monitoring the situation, and as of now, I got the latest data which shows that all CMM ships have left, they already left as of yesterday's (Sunday) report and this was confirmed in today's report)," he said in an interview with PTV-4's "Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon".
Malaya dismissed the invasion claims and allegations that the Sierra Madre and the contingent manning it would be attacked, saying this claim is "more of a hyperbole or is an exaggeration of what is happening there."
The claims, he said, probably stemmed during the Dec. 10 rotation and resupply (RORE) mission to Ayungin Shoal where more than 40 CCG and CMM ships loitering in the waterway.
In the RORE mission, dangerous maneuvering Chinese ships tried their best to impede the Philippine resupply effort.
But despite the damage to at least two Filipino ships, the Unaizah Mae-1 succeeded in unloading its supply to the BRP Sierra Madre. (PNA)
