Teodoro: Heightened Chinese activities in Ayungin no threat to PH troops

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro —INQUIRER PHOTO/GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — No threats have been detected against the Filipino troops stationed on the BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, despite the recent reported swarming of Chinese vessels in the area.

But should the need arise, the country has “contingency plans” to drive away invaders attempting to go near the military outpost.

“At this time, there’s none. We are not seeing anything that may endanger the lives of the Filipinos in BRP Sierra Madre,” Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. said on Monday at the sidelines of the commemoration of National Heroes’ Day at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City.

“But of course, we always remain alert,” he added.

READ: China’s latest Ayungin actions seen as response to Panatag setback – NMC

The BRP Sierra Madre, the rusting but still active service vessel of the Philippine Navy, was deliberately grounded in 1999 to help secure the country’s assertion of sovereignty over the area of Ayungin—which is some 315 kilometers west of Palawan and within the country’s 370-km exclusive economic zone.

Unusual spike

The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Friday saw an unusual spike in Chinese activities in the shoal, including the deployment of coast guard ships, militia vessels and fast boats equipped with mounted weapons.

As of Aug. 20, the AFP has detected five China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels encircling Ayungin.

They were supported by 11 rigid-hulled inflatable boats and fast boats, and nine Chinese maritime militia vessels, along with a helicopter and a drone.

For Undersecretary Alexander Lopez, spokesperson of the National Maritime Council, the Philippines had “expected” the significant increase in China’s activities in the West Philippine Sea following the Aug. 11 collision between a CCG vessel and a Chinese Navy warship who were pursuing a Philippine Coast Guard ship off Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal.

He described it as Beijing’s way of recovering from “embarrassment” after the incident, as well as a way to convey the message it is still in control of the South China Sea, especially in the West Philippine Sea.

Citing reports from the AFP Western Command as of Monday, Lopez said in an interview on state-run PTV that the situation near BRP Sierra Madre has “returned to normal, and the Chinese’s unusual activities have subsided.”

The number of Chinese vessels near Ayungin has gone down—with only one or two CCG ships remaining, along with several Chinese maritime militia vessels, he added. /cb