Marcos tells troops not to escalate situation in WPS — Brawner
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has instructed soldiers not to escalate tensions in the West Philippine Sea, said Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Romeo Brawner Jr.
Brawner shared the directive from Marcos during the AFP’s command conference.
The conference was held after the violent June 17 incident in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal where the BRP Sierra Madre is grounded.
“The guidance also of our president to our troops is not to escalate the situation on the ground,” Brawner said in a press conference in Camp Aguinaldo.
In light of the June 17 incident, Manila and Beijing held their regular Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on Tuesday, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs.
China Coast Guard’s actions during the rotation and resupply mission (Rore) for the naval outpost led to what Brawner previously deemed as the “looting” of seven firearms, the destruction of two navy boats, and the loss of a navy personnel’s finger.
Article continues after this advertisementThe top military official said China should pay damages amounting to P60 million.
Article continues after this advertisementDespite this, Brawner previously said that the Filipino troops resisted the CCG, some of whom were wielding bolos, using only their bare hands.
READ: West Philippine Sea: Filipino sailors fought armed CCGs ‘with bare hands’
Brawner also said Marcos lauded the troops in the Ayungin mission for “practicing restraint.”
“Our actions during the last Rore were actually applauded by the President himself,” Brawner said.
The resupply activity of BRP Sierra Madre has become one of the flashpoints of tensions between Manila and Beijing.
Beijing’s actions are based on its assertion of sovereignty in almost the entire South China Sea, including most of the West Philippine Sea, as it continues to reject a July 2016 Arbitral Award which effectively dismissed its claims while ruling heavily in favor of Manila.
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