NTF-WPS: China took ‘concerted’ effort vs Philippine vessels in August 5 incident

Chinese actions against Philippine vessels in the August 5 incident in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) was a concerted effort by its coast guard and maritime militia, according to the National Task Force WPS (NTF-WPS) on Monday.

“The incident at Ayungin Shoal last Saturday speaks for itself—the increased number of Coast Guard vessels, the movement in concert with the Chinese maritime militia, which effectively proves to the whole world that they are instruments of the Chinese Coast Guard, Navy, or government,” said National Security Council (NSC) spokesperson Jonathan Malaya in a press conference.

“That these Chinese militia vessels are not disinterested participants or innocent individuals who happened to be there. This was a concerted effort as mentioned by Commodore Tarriela, wherein our ships were effectively corralled,” he added.

The Chinese assets involved in the incident were six Chinese Coast Guard vessels, three People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels, and two Chinese maritime militia vessels.

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela said the objective of the Chinese vessels was to block the Armed Forces of the Philippines' (AFP's) resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre in the Ayungin Shoal.

On Sunday, the PCG reported that Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels used water cannons and performed dangerous maneuvers against Philippine vessels on August 5.

The Philippine resupply mission used two chartered boats, which were escorted by the PCG’s BRP Malapascua and BRP Cabra for security, according to Tarriela.

“As early as 6:22 p.m., a day before the resupply mission, we were able to monitor CCG 5304 already staying in that particular location and waiting for the resupply to be executed in Sabina Shoal,” he said.

BRP Malapascua and BRP Cabra were staying in Sabina Shoal to meet the two chartered boats for the resupply mission.

Not lose an inch

Despite China’s actions, Malaya said the Philippine government would never abandon the Ayungin Shoal as he assured Filipinos that the government would protect its territory amid China’s actions.

“China is probably looking for weaknesses in the Philippine position or trying to gauge our commitment to supply our troops in the shoal. And we are here precisely to assure the Filipino people that as directed by our President. We are consistent with the President’s directive during the SONA that we will not lose an inch of our territory,” he added.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Monday said a note verbale was sent to Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian following the latest incident in Ayungin Shoal.

The CCG on Sunday said it had taken "necessary controls" against Philippines boats that had "illegally" entered its waters.

"Two repair ships and two coast guard ships from the Philippines illegally broke into the waters... in China's Nansha Islands," China Coast Guard spokesperson Gan Yu said in an Agence France-Presse report, adding that Beijing had "implemented necessary controls in accordance with the law and stopped Philippine ships carrying illegal building materials."

The Permanent Court of Arbitration invalidated Beijing's massive claims in the South China Sea in July 2016.

"The Tribunal concluded that there was no legal basis for China to claim historic rights to resources within the sea areas falling within the ‘nine-dash line’," the Permanent Court of Arbitration said.

China however said it would ignore the ruling. — DVM, GMA Integrated News