23-8-2023 (MANILA) The Philippines has rejected claims by the China Coast Guard (CCG) that humanitarian considerations played a role in facilitating the delivery of essential provisions to troops stationed on the BRP Sierra Madre. The Philippines maintains that Chinese ships continued to engage in “dangerous maneuvers” aimed at blocking boats involved in the resupply mission.
Despite the CCG’s attempts, the Philippines successfully completed the resupply mission to the remote outpost in Ayungin Shoal on Tuesday. Chinese maritime militia vessels also attempted to “block, harass, and interfere” during the mission.
Commodore Jay Tarriela, spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on West Philippine Sea matters, refuted the CCG’s claims of humanitarian assistance. He stated, “It’s not true that they showed humanity or extended humanitarian assistance to allow our boats to enter [Ayungin Shoal]. Our supply boats and PCG vessels were clearly blocked by the China Coast Guard and Chinese maritime militias.”
The CCG asserted that temporary arrangements were made to allow Manila to deliver necessities to the BRP Sierra Madre on humanitarian grounds. However, Tarriela emphasized that the Philippines does not require permission from China as Ayungin Shoal falls within the country’s exclusive economic zone.
The recent successful mission occurred just over two weeks after the China Coast Guard blocked and fired water cannons at Philippine boats, preventing one of them from unloading supplies. This incident drew condemnation from Philippine allies, including the United States.
Colonel Medel Aguilar, spokesperson for the Armed Forces of the Philippines, noted that China exhibited less hostile behavior during the latest resupply mission. He stated, “They were not so aggressive. Probably, they learned their lesson that violence has no place in this world, especially if that violence is founded on something that is not acceptable to the international community and that violence is doing to encroach or subvert or suppress the expression of rights of other countries.”
According to Tarriela, the China Coast Guard deployed smaller vessels this time and refrained from using water cannons. He suggested that this change in behavior might be an attempt to improve China’s international image and demonstrate a reduced level of aggression in preventing resupply operations.
Beijing asserts territorial claims over almost the entire South China Sea, including areas that Manila refers to as the West Philippine Sea. China has disregarded a ruling that declared its territorial claims to have no legal basis.
PCG SUPPORTS AFP ROTATION AND RESUPPLY MISSION IN AYUNGIN SHOAL
The @coastguardph deployed two 44-meter Multi-Role Response Vessels (MRRV) to support the Rotation and Resupply (RoRe) mission of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to Ayungin Shoal, today, August 22.
PCG… pic.twitter.com/OtETWwPAkB
— Jay Tarriela (@jaytaryela) August 22, 2023
