Bato suggests 'cementing' BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal

Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa on Friday suggested "cementing" BRP Sierra Madre at the Ayungin Shoal amid China’s demand to tow it from its location.

“Kailangan hindi basta-bastang hilahin lang ‘yan ng China. Hindi pupwedeng tanggalin nila ‘yan diyan. Kung pwedeng ikwan natin, i-semento ‘yung ilalim ng barko para ma-fix na ‘yan siya doon, mas maganda,” Dela Rosa said in a phone interview.

Dela Rosa's statements come amid calls for the repair of BRP Sierra Madre after the China Coast Guard (CCG) illegally used water cannons against Philippine vessels on a resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal. 

“Refurbish o ayusin o whatever, basta just to alleviate the living condition of the Marines living inside that ship and to concretize our claim over that Ayungin Shoal,” he added.

Dela Rosa also said he is in favor of realigning some confidential and intelligence funds to rehabilitate BRP Sierra Madre.

“Yes, yes. In terms of prioritization, para sa akin, there’s no other priority na mas higher pa than defense. Kailangan talaga natin ‘yan dahil number one sa akin, number one priority ang defense,” explained Dela Rosa.

The Philippines has already sent a note verbale to China regarding the latest incident which happened inside the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

China, however, countered that it was the Philippine boats that encroached on its waters.

On Tuesday, Beijing demanded the removal of BRP Sierra Madre, citing a supposed “promise” from the Philippine government.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he is not aware of such agreement and added that he would rescind it if there really was an agreement. 

“I’m not aware of any such arrangement or agreement that the Philippines will remove from its own territory its ship, in this case, the BRP Sierra Madre from the Ayungin Shoal.... And let me go further, if there does exist such an agreement, I rescind that agreement now,” Marcos said.

Former Senator and Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado said the vessel was deliberately run aground at the Ayungin Shoal in 1999 to serve as an outpost in the West Philippine Sea.

The plan was approved by then President Joseph Estrada in the wake of the Chinese occupying the nearby Mischief Reef.

Ayungin is located 105.77 nautical miles from the nearest Philippine province of Palawan and constitutes part of the country’s EEZ.

Senate support

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri supported the refurbishing of BRP Sierra Madre “not just to ward off the bullies in the North but also for any possible natural calamities” that may put the Marines in harm’s way.

“If funding is requested from us in the Senate, then the Senate will gladly comply and fund it for our brave Men and Women of the Marines and Navy. They deserve our unconditional support as they sacrifice themselves for us,” he said.

Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros also vowed to support any request to refurbish the Navy ship stationed at Ayungin Shoal.

“Dapat lang i-reinforce yung pinaka-presensya ng ating gubyerno at bansa diyan sa Ayungin Shoal na bahagi ng ating Exclusive Economic Zone,” she said.

“As I said, if the AFP asks for funding to reinforce and refurbish the BRP Sierra Madre on Ayungin Shoal, I would support it at maglo-lobby ako sa mga kasama ko dito sa Senado na suportahan ito,” she added. —VAL, GMA Integrated News