By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Given the escalating tension between the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday (26 Feb 2024) said it is ready to support the country’s coast guard.
The AFP’s statement came out on the heels of the latest incident between PCG and Chinese vessels in Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal.
“The AFP supports the maritime law enforcement operation of the PCG and other maritime law enforcement agencies. For our part, any challenges faced by foreign forces are addressed with utmost professionalism and we will practice maximum tolerance,” AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla told reporters in a Viber message.
At the same time, the AFP maintained that it would practice maximum tolerance in “addressing challenges from foreign forces.”
On Sunday (25 February 2024), the Philippines accused the China Coast Guard (CCG) of attempting to block the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ BRP Datu Sanday, which was delivering supplies to fishermen near Bajo de Masinloc last February 22.
(el Amigo/MNM)
