PH war veterans blast China’s latest ‘barbaric’ acts in WPS

WEAPON IN HAND The Armed Forces of the Philippines said one of the China Coast Guard members shown here (center) wielded a pickaxe and made threatening gestures in their encounter with Filipino troops on a resupply mission to Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal on June 17.

MANILA, Philippines — The country’s war veterans on Tuesday condemned China’s “barbaric” acts during the June 17 confrontation between Chinese coast guard personnel and Filipino troops on a resupply mission to Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, which resulted in the injury of one Philippine Navy sailor whose finger got severed.

The Veterans’ Federation of the Philippines expressed their “unequivocal support” for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in asserting Manila’s rights in the West Philippine Sea, waters within the country’s 370-kilometer exclusive economic zone.

“We condemn the barbaric, demeaning and provocative acts of the China Coast Guard (CCG), who used force to thwart the rotation and resupply mission in Ayungin last June 17,” the veterans said.

READ: AFP chief: China Coast Guard used bolos, acted like pirates

Bolos, tear gas

During that incident, CCG personnel confronted the Philippine resupply mission, brandishing bolos, knives, spears, and used tear gas, acting like “pirates,” as described by Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.

The Chinese also used blaring sirens and bright strobe lights to create chaos near the grounded BRP Sierra Madre, which serves as the country’s outpost in the West Philippine Sea, as they forcibly towed and looted the Philippine Navy boats.

The veterans also called on the international community to condemn China’s aggressive actions in the name of humanity, respect of international law and rules-based international order.”

They expressed their support for the Department of National Defense and the military’s “strategic transformation agenda” to build a formidable deterrent posture through the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept.

Defense posture

In January, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said the country’s defense and military “are evolving into a defense concept which projects our power into areas where we must, by constitutional fiat and duty, protect and preserve our resources.”

The veterans paid their highest tribute to the defenders of the West Philippine Sea, whom they called “modern-day heroes.”

“Their wisdom and sense of reason prevailed despite suffering from harassment and harm, embodying the indomitable Filipino valor and resilience,” they noted.

“We urge all Filipinos to unite in support of those who risk their lives to defend what is right, to protect what is ours, and to secure our future,” they added.

Asean silence noted

In a phone interview with reporters on Tuesday, Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad, the Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, lamented the lack of support from the country’s neighbors.

“It is quite concerning how come Western countries, far away from us, are those expressing support for the Philippines. Asean (Association for Southeast Asian Nations members) must also express their support and stand up for the rules-based order because by tomorrow, we don’t know, they will be the ones who will be at the end of China’s aggressive moves,” Trinidad warned.