Estrada camp: ‘Illogical’ for Erap to vow BRP Sierra Madre removal

The camp of former president Joseph Estrada on Monday said he made no promise to remove the BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, contrary to a claim made by a former government official.

According to Chino Gaston's report on "24 Oras" on Monday, former Palace official Rigoberto Tiglao said that Estrada made the promise in 1999, the same year the rusting Navy ship was installed at the shoal with his approval.

In his column in the Manila Times, Tiglao described the commitment as "solely verbal" that nevertheless "was mentioned in several documents" and "reflected in confidential official memoranda by DFA officials."

Tiglao served as Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's spokesperson in Malacañang after she succeeded Estrada in 2001, and was later appointed ambassador.

Estrada's son, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, said his father "cannot remember" the issue anymore, but that it would have been "illogical" for him to make the promise.

"I think it is quite illogical, for me, if former president Estrada instructed to station BRP Sierra Madre [at Ayungin Shoal] and at the same time commit that he is going to remove the ship at any time...I do not know where former ambassador Tiglao got that information," he said.

The younger Estrada also said former senator Orly Mercado "confirmed that there was no agreement or promise to the Chinese government."

Mercado, who served as Estrada's defense secretary, earlier stated that no such promise was made by the Estrada administration.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. also said he is not aware of any such agreement, but that if one exists, he is now rescinding it.

On August 5, China Coast Guard ships, accompanied by other Chinese militia vessels, performed "dangerous maneuvers" against four Philippine vessels on their way to Ayungin Shoal to resupply the servicemen stationed at the Sierra Madre.

TIMELINE: Chinese water cannons, illegal maneuvers vs. Philippine resupply mission

The Chinese ships bombarded the two resupply boats with water, and moved to separate them from their two Philippine Coast Guard escorts. The Chinese ships also tried to ram them, crewmen on the Philippine boats said. 

In that instance, only one of the resupply boats was able to complete its mission, while the other one had to turn back. The two PCG boats, the BRP Cabra and the BRP Malabrigo, were later able to complete the resupply mission without incident.

China, however, continues to press its claim on the shoal, which lies within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. 

"The Philippines side insisted on transporting construction materials to the grounded vessel for overhaul and re-enforcement with the intent of permanently occupying Ren'ai Reef. The above is the cause of this incident," said the Chinese Embassy's Deputy Chief of Mission Zhou Zhiyong at the Pandesal Forum on Monday, using the Chinese name for the shoal.

In 2016, the Philippines triumphed in a landmark ruling by an international tribunal that invalidated China's massive claims to nearly the entirety of the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, or the waters within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

China has refused to recognize the ruling, and has made repeated incursions into territories in the sea as well as conducted reclamation activities in the area.

Objecting to what it calls the United States' "meddling," China has also stressed its preference for bilateral talks with the Philippines on the issue. GMA Integrated News has reached out to the Department of Foreign Affairs for comment. — BM, GMA Integrated News