MANILA — In a disturbing incident on Sunday (10 Dec 2023), the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, General Romeo Brawner, found himself caught in the line of fire as a Chinese Coast Guard vessel unleashed a water cannon upon a Philippine supply ship en route to Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.
General Brawner was aboard the Unaizah Mae 1, tasked with delivering essential supplies to soldiers stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre.
Despite the potential dangers posed by China’s coast guard, General Brawner, who sought permission from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to visit and bring Christmas gifts to the troops, expressed anger rather than fear over the incident.
“We keep on avoiding them, but they continue to harass; it’s dangerous, it’s dangerous,” remarked General Brawner, shedding light on the ongoing challenges faced by the Philippines in dealing with such provocations.
The clash occurred just a day after the Philippines accused the Chinese coast guard of obstructing three government boats delivering provisions to Filipino fishermen near Scarborough Shoal, prompting both nations to exchange blame for the escalating tensions. \
(ai/mnm)
