Año on Ayungin clash: No recommendation to convene NSC yet

National Security Adviser Eduardo Año

MANILA, Philippines — Convening the National Security Council (NSC) is not yet recommended despite China’s recent aggression at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said on Monday.

READ: Tolentino to Marcos: High time to convene National Security Council

According to Año, who serves as the director-general of the NSC, the situation at Ayungin is being “effectively managed” by the National Maritime Council.

“So at this moment, we are not recommending the convening of the National Security Council,” Año said in a press conference in Malacañang.

“However, the President has the discretion to convene the full council or the Executive Committee anytime,” he added.

This came after Senate Majority Francis Tolentino on Thursday called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to convene the NSC to come up with possible responses to China actions at Ayungin on June 17.

He also called on the NSC to study whether the incident should be considered an “armed attack” by China.

But Año said in a chance interview that China’s recent actions do not fit the “international definition” of an “armed attack,” citing Article 51 of the United Nations Charter and the country’s Mutual Defense Treaty with the US.

The China Coast Guard vessels on June 17 rammed a Philippine resupply ship on its way to BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal, resulting in a Philippine Navy sailor’s severed thumb.

READ: PH Navy sailor loses thumb, others injured in CCG ramming incident

Other naval personnel also sustained minor injuries.