Seek Red Cross' help for PH resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal, DFA urged

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has been urged to seek the assistance of the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) to help the Philippines' resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

The call was made by Senator Francis Tolentino through a letter dated June 18 to Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo.

"In view of the escalating conditions in the West [Philippine] Sea, particularly near the Ayungin Shoal relative to our resupply missions, my humble recommendation is to seek the assistance of the International Committee of Red Cross based in Geneva, Switzerland," Tolentino said in his letter.

"The ICRC under the Geneva Convention can facilitate the necessary humanitarian aid to our Navy personnel living in BRP Sierra Madre and would pave the way for the delivery of the needed food supplies by our soldiers therein," he added.

In a text message shared to reporters, Tolentino said that the DFA and the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea should make the request to the ICRC.

"The International Committee of the Red Cross is a neutral organization in charge of providing assistance under International Humanitarian Law," he said.

Tolentino's suggestion came after China Coast Guard claimed that vessels of the Philippines and China collided in the waters adjacent to Ayungin Shoal on Monday.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), however, dismissed it and said that it would not dignify the misleading claims of China.

The AFP maintained that the main issue was Beijing's continued illegal presence in the region.

According to the CCG, the Philippine supply ship dangerously approached the Chinese ship.

It also said the Philippine ship illegally intruded into the waters adjacent to the Second Thomas Shoal and ignored China's repeated solemn warnings, the coast guard added in a statement.

Meanwhile, a reliable source told GMA Integrated News that eight soldiers, including one who had his finger cut off, were hurt and weapons were seized in China's aggressive action against Filipino personnel performing rotation and resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal on Monday, June 17.

The source said the soldiers were hurt in a melee with Chinese personnel. Aside from that, eight high-powered firearms were also seized and rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) were punctured.

Another source told GMA Integrated News that four Philippine RHIBs were "hostaged" by China but were later released following negotiations.

The first source said the AFP deployed six vessels from different entry points for the resupply mission but none reached Ayungin Shoal due to China’s aggressive actions.

The Ayungin Shoal, which China calls Ren'ai Reef, is located 105 nautical miles west of Palawan and is well within the Philippines' 200-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and is part of its continental shelf.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei.

This despite an arbitral ruling that invalidated its massive claims in the resource-rich area. Beijing has ignored the ruling and instead continued to strengthen its presence, including its aggressive actions, in the region.

In a separate statement, Senator Grace Poe "strongly deplore[d]" the latest harassment by the CCG in the WPS.

"China's aggressions in our seas have reached a reprehensible new high, damaging our boats and inflicting harm on our people. China's bullying and dangerous acts must stop," she said.

Poe reiterated the need to seek Philippine allies' support to "help cease this unlawful behavior that impinges on our sovereignty."

"Hihintayin pa ba natin na may Pilipinong magbubuwis ng buhay sa pagtatanggol sa ating teritoryo?" Poe said.

(Are we going to wait for a Filipino to sacrifice his life to protect our territory?) — VDV, GMA Integrated News