PCG: Rescue of PH crew in Ayungin Shoal took 12 hours

Philippine Coast Guard spokesman for West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said Friday that it took them 12 hours to rescue the troops who were injured during the June 17 incident in Ayungin Shoal involving Philippine Navy sailors and Chinese Coast Guard personnel.

Speaking to Palace reporters, Tarriela said the PCG was subjected to dangerous maneuvers and harassment by the China Coast Guard and Chinese Navy.

''It's also worth emphasizing that the Philippine Coast Guard did the rescue to the endangered personnel. It took us more than 12 hours to retrieve  'yung mga injured personnel natin on board BRP Sierra Madre,'' Tarriela narrated.

''It's because we learned about the injured AFP  personnel as early as 10 a.m. and the Philippine Coast Guard, the two vessels that we deployed, the BRP Cabra and BRP Bagacay, to launch their RHIB (rubber hull inflatable boat) kasi alam naman natin kung ano nangyari sa RHIB ng Armed Forces of the Philippines during that attempted resupply mission,'' he added.

According to Tarriela, PCG personnel were able to retrieve the damaged RHIB of the Philippine military at noon.

''So it took us two hours for us to... safekeep itong damaged natin na  RHIB and for the AFP personnel who were injured, it's only around 10:30 nang nakuha natin 'yung mga injured na AFP personnel,'' he said.

Tarriela added that there had been coordinating efforts with China so that they could carry out the medical evacuation.

Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero said the Senate would seek a "full briefing" from the Department of Foreign Affairs regarding the latest incident in the Ayungin Shoal.

The Philippines, through the DFA, and the Pentagon have denounced the incident.

The Ayungin Shoal is 105 nautical miles west of Palawan. It is within the country's 200-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and is part of its continental shelf.

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. has yet to issue a statement on the incident during which seven servicemen were injured, including one who lost a thumb. — DVM, GMA Integrated News