Teodoro: China’s recent actions vs Philippine vessels near Ayungin ‘irresponsible’

Defense chief Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. on Monday called "irresponsible" the actions of China against Philippine vessels during the latter's recent resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.

“The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels were once again dangerously harassed,” Teodoro said in a press conference.

“This is to me irresponsible behavior on the part of the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) and I think that the world knows who is in the right here so it does need much more saying or talking about. The world has reacted before to the water cannoning,” he added.

While the CCG did not use water against the Philippine vessels this time, Teodoro pointed out that China performed more dangerous maneuvers.

“I think what has to be underscored here is that wala ngang water cannoning pero mas delikado ang mga maniobrang ginawa nila sa mga kasama nating PCG,” he said.

(I think what has to be underscored here is that while there is no water cannoning, the CCG vessels conducted more dangerous maneuvers against our PCG.)

For Teodoro, the moves of Chinese vessels were a violation of maritime safety.

On Friday, Chinese vessels again maneuvered dangerously against Philippine ships in the recent resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal, the National Task Force West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) said.

The NTF-WPS strongly deplored and condemned “the continued illegal, aggressive, and destabilizing conduct of the CCG and the CMM within our nation's EEZ.”

China expressed firm opposition to the Philippines’ latest resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal, which it claims and calls Ren'ai Reef.

The CCG said two replenishment ships and two PCG vessels entered the shoal’s vicinity waters “without the permission of the Chinese government” and transported construction materials to the BRP Sierra Madre.

“China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands, including the Ren'ai Reef, and its adjacent waters, and firmly opposes the illegal transportation of construction materials by the Philippines to the illegal grounded warship,” it said.

According to the CCG, it strictly warned, tracked, monitored, and "effectively regulated” the Philippine vessels.

“The CCG will continue to carry out law enforcement activities in the sea areas under China's jurisdiction according to law,” it said.

This was the third resupply mission after the August 5 incident where the CCG used water cannons against the Philippine ship conducting a similar mission.

Another resupply mission was conducted and completed on August 22.

BRP Sierra Madre has been grounded at the Ayungin Shoal since 1999. The ship, which is manned by more than a dozen marines and sailors, has become a symbol of Philippine sovereignty in the offshore territory.

Ayungin Shoal is part of the Kalayaan Island Group, which is an integral part of the Philippines, as well as the country's exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.—AOL, GMA Integrated News