THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) confirmed Friday interference by Chinese vessels during a routine resupply mission for soldiers manning the BRP Sierra Madre.
The AFP said MV Lapu-Lapu, along with Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard vessels, was hindered by three People’s Liberation Army Navy warships and five China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels, including two Houbei-class missile boats 60 nautical miles from Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.
“These actions are irresponsible, are reckless and are inconsistent with applicable provisions of COLREGs (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea) and UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) as well as the Philippines’ rights affirmed by the 2016 Arbitral Award. Given the possibility of escalation that could endanger our personnel and vessels, the rotation and resupply mission was temporarily suspended,” the AFP said in a statement on Friday.
“We call on the PLA Navy and CCG to cease these dangerous actions and exercise restraint. The safety of our personnel remains paramount; nevertheless, these actions will not deter the AFP from performing its mission,” it added.
Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad said the incident happened on Thursday between 8:35 p.m. and 11 p.m.
“As they approached from afar, the Chinese forces were already calling us,” he said.
Asked if there were water cannoning and dangerous blockings, Trinidad said the Filipino ground commander did not let the situation reach that point.
Trinidad, however, refused to call the Chinese act simply “blocking.”
“You are being asked to leave, and their vessels were getting closer and closer,” Trinidad said.
“In the past, they could get as close as about 10 nautical miles to the shoal before actions like these occurred; now, even from 60 nautical miles away, Philippine vessels are already being harassed,” he added.
Trinidad said contingency plans are in place to ensure resupply for Philippine troops in the area.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said that Manila and Beijing entered into a “provisional understanding” in 2024 to ease tension in the area.
It, however, added that it was not a “provisional agreement” assuring uninterrupted resupply missions to BRP Sierra Madre.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said that provisional understanding is “not a grant of or a request for permission to any foreign government” and “does not recognize any foreign jurisdiction over Philippine waters.”
It also “does not prejudice national position,” the DFA said.
