CCG slammed for ‘stealing’ supplies for Filipino troops in West PH Sea

A China Coast Guard ship monitors a Philippine fisherman aboard his wooden boat during the distribution of fuel and food to fishers by the civilian-led mission Atin Ito (This Is Ours) Coalition, in the disputed South China Sea on May 16, 2024. FILE PHOTO/Agence France-Presse

MANILA, Philippines — The organizer of previous civilian missions in the West Philippine Sea on Monday said China Coast Guard (CCG) is no better than a “pirate” after “stealing” food and medicine meant for the troops stationed in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.

Rafaela David, chief convenor of West Philippine Sea advocates Atin Ito, made the strong remark as CCG seized and dumped overboard food and other supplies meant for troops, as well as allegedly obstructing a medical evacuation of ailing soldiers assigned in BRP Sierra Madre last May 19, according to a Philippine Daily Inquirer report on Sunday.

“Since when did a supposed ‘sovereign state’ resort to stealing food? China’s antics are straight out of a pirate’s playbook, not the conduct of a reputable nation,” David, also the president of group Akbayan, said in a statement.

READ: China Coast Guard seizes PH supplies for Ayungin

“We vehemently condemn the despicable actions of the Chinese Coast Guard! Their behavior reeks of piracy, not diplomacy. By plundering food supplies meant for our brave frontliners and blocking medical aid, China reveals its disdain for human rights and dignity. This isn’t about peace; it’s about power and dominance,” David continued.

David said the Department of Foreign Affairs should lodge a diplomatic protest, recall the Chinese ambassador, and demand an official apology.

“In light of China’s recent appalling acts of aggression, it is imperative that the Philippine government leverages its diplomatic strengths to vigorously denounce these blatant violations, rallying support from the international community to hold China accountable for its brazen disregard of international norms and principles,” she said.

The regular resupply mission in the BRP Sierra Madre, a naval outpost grounded in Ayungin Shoal since 1999, became one of the flashpoints of tension in the West Philippine Sea, as Chinese vessels resorted to usage of military-grade lasers and water cannons which even injured Philippine navy personnel.

This move is in line with Beijing’s assertion of sovereignty in almost the entire South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, even if such a claim has been effectively invalidated by a July 2016 international tribunal ruling that stemmed from a case filed by Manila in 2013. Beijing refuses to acknowledge this ruling.

David’s group is no stranger to CCG’s harassment as it sought to challenge China’s rejection of ruling by conducting civilian missions in West Philippine Sea features.

In 2023, the first-ever supply mission of Atin Ito was deemed successful as one of their resupply boats managed to get past Chinese vessels and reach Lawak Island on Dec. 11, bringing gifts for those who are based in BRP Sierra Madre and other people in West Philippine Sea’s eight other maritime features.

READ: China vessels, warships withdraw from Scarborough after convoy 

However, this feat was not without challenges as a CCG vessel tailed the caravan’s mothership, TS Kapitan Felix Oca, prompting its captain to return to a port in El Nido, Palawan, on Dec. 10. The convoy was supposed to go in the vicinity waters of the shoal where the World War-II era ship is aground.

Last month, the Atin Ito also conducted a mission for Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal, but they were unable to reach the atoll after being blocked by CCG vessels.

At one point, three CCG vessels surrounded the convoy’s motorboat, where INQUIRER.net was also aboard. The convoy only reached as near as 50 nautical miles before heading back to mainland Luzon.