MANILA – Following the June 17 Ayungin Shoal incident, where Chinese Coast Guard personnel confronted Filipino troops with bladed weapons, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. emphasized on Thursday (27 June 2026) that the Philippines needs to take more substantial action beyond diplomatic protests.
Marcos, in a media interview, underscored that the government had already filed protests against the incident, which left one Navy personnel severely injured, making the Philippines’ stance clear to both the Chinese ambassador and Beijing.
“We have stated our position and objections clearly,” Marcos said. “However, simply summoning the ambassador and expressing our displeasure is not enough. We need to take more decisive actions.”
The confrontation involved Chinese vessels ramming a Philippine ship and personnel seizing disassembled rifles while wielding bladed weapons. A Filipino soldier was injured during the altercation.
While Marcos noted that the incident does not qualify as an armed attack due to the absence of firearms, he stressed that it remains a deliberate and illegal action by Chinese forces.
“Even without firearms, the actions taken by the Chinese are illegal,” he added. The incident has drawn widespread international condemnation.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA – The contentious incident on June 17 at Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, where China escalated its aggressive actions, the government claimed it was merely a misunderstanding among maritime personnel.
But was it a misunderstanding or an accident?
Late Wednesday (19 June 2024), the military released footage that showed small boats crewed by Chinese sailors shouting, waving knives, and using sticks to hit an inflatable boat as a siren blared.
But during a News Forum on Saturday (22 June 2024) at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City, National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) spokesperson, Commodore Jay Tarriela said there was a “wrong interpretation” of what transpired in Ayungin Shoal.
He said no video showed the Chinese sailors intended to use arms against the Filipino sailors.
“Ito ay harangan lang,” Tarriela clarified.
The United States has said that “an armed attack” against Philippine public vessels, aircraft, armed forces, and coastguard anywhere in the South China Sea will trigger the activation of the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) that requires Washington to come to Manila’s defense as a treaty ally.
Tarriela also disclosed that public announcements of the Philippines’ conduct of regular rotation and resupply (RORE) missions to its military outpost in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) will now require the approval of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.
“The policy recommendation that was mentioned by the Executive Secretary, being the chair of the National Maritime Council (NMC), is that we will be announcing the routine resupply operations, is subject to the approval of our President,” Tarriela said
Bersamin heads the NMC that President Marcos created last March to strengthen the country’s maritime security amid China’s increased aggression in the WPS.
“Second, this resupply operation remains to be considered as an ordinary, legitimate, and routine operation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Tarriela added.
For his part, Presidential Assistant for Maritime Concerns Andres Centino maintained that the new policy means “that we assert our sovereign right and sovereignty in the area.”
To recall, earlier reports confirmed by the military that there were eight injured soldiers.
But on Friday (21 June 2024), Centino claimed that only one soldier was injured in the most recent encounter with China in Ayungin Shoal.
“To be accurate with the status of our soldiers there was only one that got injured, as early reported there were like seven, actually it was only one, Sergeant [Jeffrey] Facundo of the Philippine Navy,” he said.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Finally breaking its silence, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday (17 June 2024) said it would not dignify the misleading claims of China in relation to the reported collision of Philippine and Chinese vessels in the waters adjacent to Ayungin Shoal.
AFP Public Affairs Office (PAO) chief Colonel Xerxes Trinidad stressed that the main issue is the illegal presence of Chinese vessels in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
“The AFP will not discuss operational details on the legal humanitarian rotation and resupply mission at Ayungin Shoal, which is well within our EEZ. We will not dignify the deceptive and misleading claims of the China Coast Guard,” Trinidad said.
He added: ”The main issue remains to be the illegal presence and actions of Chinese vessels within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, which infringes on our sovereignty and sovereign rights.”
Earlier, the China Coast Guard (CCG) claimed that a “Philippine replenishment ship ignored many solemn warnings from the Chinese side” subsequently causing the collision of vessels of the Philippines and China in the waters adjacent to Ayungin Shoal.
Trinidad, however, maintained that the continued aggressive actions of the CCG personnel are escalating tensions in the region.
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 EEZ.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Describing the recent statement by China’s Foreign Ministry that the Philippines must first notify China for access to Ayungin Shoal as “absurd, nonsense and unacceptable,” National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo Año has stood firm that there is no need for the Philippines to seek China’s approval.
“We reaffirm our commitment to uphold our sovereign rights and jurisdiction over Ayungin Shoal, which is well within our EEZ (exclusive economic zone) as recognized by international law and the 2016 Arbitral Award,” Año stressed on Saturday (8 June 2024).
On Friday (7 June 2024), the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that it would “allow” the Philippines to send supplies to the BRP Sierra Madre if the country “notifies China in advance.”
“We do not and will never need China’s approval for any of our activities therein,” the NSA declared.
In response to the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) report that China had disrupted the evacuation of Filipino servicemen in need of medical treatment, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning made this condition: “However, the Philippines may not use this as an excuse to transport materials of construction to its naval vessels in an attempt to occupy Renai Reef [Second Thomas Shoal] permanently.”
Año also assailed China’s recent incursions within the West Philippines (WPS).
“The incident on May 19, 2024, involving the China Coast Guard’s aggressive actions against a Filipino vessel evacuating a sick soldier from the BRP Sierra Madre is barbaric and inhumane. Such actions are not only violations of international maritime laws but also basic human rights,” Año pointed out.
“The recent reports of Chinese forces allegedly seizing food and medical supplies meant for our advance post in Ayungin Shoal are equally reprehensible and warrant a thorough investigation and accountability,” he added.
Año said the Philippines will continue to maintain and supply its outposts in the West Philippine Sea, including the BRP Sierra Madre, without seeking permission from any other country.
He maintained that the Philippines remains open to dialogue and peaceful negotiations.
“However, such dialogue must be based on mutual respect and adherence to international law. We call on China to respect the arbitral ruling and to cease any actions that escalate tensions or undermine regional stability,” Año said.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — The streetsmart adage “Kung gusto, maraming paraan” seemingly inspired a government official to consider aerial missions to resupply the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal to evade China’s aggressive maneuvers such as the use of water cannons.
On Tuesday (7 May 2024), Jonathan Malaya, assistant director general of the National Security Council (NSC), disclosed that they would make “certain adjustments” to its resupply missions to the World War Two-era ship BRP Sierra Madre which was deliberately grounded in Ayungin Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc, since 1991 during the time of then President Joseph “Erap” Estrada.
“There is an operational mix that is available to us. We can do other types of resupply other than a naval resupply, we can do an airdrop, we can do other just to be able to resupply our troops and keep BRP Sierra Madre in working condition,” Malaya said when interviewed by ANC.
The NSC official further bared that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ordered the adjustments following the country’s latest resupply trip to Ayungin, which was met with water cannons from Chinese vessels.
“Those adjustments, of course, are there so that we are no longer placed in a difficult position when we do our resupply missions,” Malaya said.
However, the NSC official anticipated that China would continue to “intimidate” and use “scare tactics” against the Philippines.
Malaya cited Beijing’s claim of a “new model” it allegedly struck with Manila on easing tensions in Ayungin Shoal was not worth investigating because doing so the Philippines would “continue to fall into the trap of China.”
“The basis of this claim is simply the statement from the Chinese Embassy. We don’t even know who they talk to. All they say is they talk to Wescom (Western Command),” he noted.
Malaya stressed that they “will not be deterred” and “will do what is necessary to keep our troops supplied.”
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Insisting that Ayungin Shoal which they call Ren’ai Jiao and known internationally as Second Thomas Shoal, really belongs to China, the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines on Monday filed a protest over what it claims as the “illegal trespassing of Philippine resupply vessels.”
Earlier, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it had summoned officials of the Chinese Embassy to express the Philippines’ “strong protest” over the “aggressive actions” by the China Coast Guard (CCG) and its maritime militia last Saturday against Philippine vessels in Ayungin Shoal.
In a statement, the Chinese Embassy said the resupply vessels intruded into Chinese territory and attempted to bring in construction materials to BRP Sierra Madre, a move which it called “deliberate and provocative” that allegedly “infringed upon China’s sovereignty, maritime rights and interests.”
The Chinese Embassy also claimed that the CCG responded lawfully and professionally, as it remains “committed to resolute measures in safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.”
It maintained that China’s sovereignty in the area is grounded on history and law, and called the 2016 Arbitral award, “illegal, null and void.”
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Calling the latest harassment incident “unacceptable”, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has demanded that all Chinese vessels leave the Ayungin Shoal which is within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines.
On Tuesday (5 March 2024) afternoon, the DFA summoned the Chinese Deputy Chief of Mission as it lodged a diplomatic protest against the aggressive actions carried out by Chinese vessels against Philippine ships during a rotation and resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal.
“During the meeting, the Philippines stressed, among others, that China’s interference with the Philippines’ routine and lawful activities in its exclusive economic zone is unacceptable. China’s actions in Ayungin Shoal infringe upon the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction,” the DFA said in a statement.
Aware of the increasing international support for the country’s cause, the DFA boldly said: “The Philippines demands that Chinese vessels leave the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal immediately.”
The DFA underscored that the Ayungin Shoal is within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone, as stated in international law.
“Ayungin Shoal is a low-tide elevation within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. By the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the final and binding 2016 Arbitral Award, it cannot be appropriated for sovereignty claims. International law affirms that the Philippines exercises sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the feature,” the DFA further stressed.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — China has strongly assailed the Philippines’ plan to build a permanent facility in Ayungin Shoal which it calls Ren’ai Jao, saying such a move “will severely infringe” Beijing’s sovereignty.
“Ren’ai Jiao is an uninhabited shoal. According to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) signed by China and ASEAN countries, parties should keep Ren’ai Jiao uninhabited and facility-free,” spokesperson Mao Ning pointed out.
Heeding the earlier suggestion of leading opposition figure and former Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on December 26 revealed plans to construct a permanent structure at Ayungin Shoal will involve an inter-agency program since it will not be a military structure.
This came on the heels of Senator Sonny Angara’s confirmation that lawmakers have allocated funds in the 2024 national budget for the building of a structure at the shoal, which is part of the municipality of Kalayaan in Palawan.
To recall, Carpio has said that the Philippines should build a civilian structure such as a lighthouse or marine research center on Ayungin Shoal, where BRP Sierra Madre has been grounded.
The BRP Sierra Madre, a Second World War era ship, was deliberately run aground on Ayungin Shoal or Second Thomas Shoal in 1999 during the administration of President Joseph “Erap” Estrada to serve as an outpost of the Philippine Marine Corps to assert Philippine sovereignty in the country’s dispute with China over the ownership of the Spratly Islands.
But China protested the Philippines’ plan.
“The spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines blatantly claimed that the Philippines will build a permanent structure. This would be another major move the Philippines could take to go back on its words, change its policy, and undermine the uninhabited and facility-free status of Ren’ai Jiao. This will severely infringe on China’s sovereignty, violate international law and the DOC,” Mao said.
Political pundits told Maharlika NuMedia that this could provoke China to take more aggressive actions and test the sincerity of the United States to defend the Philippines as its old ally.
(IAmigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Heeding the earlier suggestion of leading opposition figure and former Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday revealed plans to construct a permanent structure at Ayungin Shoal will involve an inter-agency program since it will not be a military structure.
This came on the heels of Senator Sonny Angara’s confirmation that lawmakers have allocated funds in the 2024 national budget for the building of a structure at the shoal, which is part of the municipality of Kalayaan in Palawan.
“Siguro po pagpa-planuhan pa ‘yan — it should be an inter-agency program kasi ang name-mention na structure is some sort of a para siyang shelter para sa mga fisherfolks, and therefore it will involve different agencies,” AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar said.
To recall, Carpio has said that the Philippines should build a civilian structure such as a lighthouse or marine research center on Ayungin Shoal, where BRP Sierra Madre has been grounded.
The BRP Sierra Madre, a Second World War era ship, was deliberately run aground on Ayungin Shoal or Second Thomas Shoal in 1999 during the administration of President Joseph “Erap” Estrada to serve as an outpost of the Philippine Marine Corps to assert Philippine sovereignty in the country’s dispute with China over the ownership of the Spratly Islands.
Carpio has reasoned out that a civilian structure could be used to protect the marine environment amid reports of rampant coral harvesting by Chinese vessels and increased aggression by China in the area.
The Philippines has been sending civilian ships to resupply troops stationed on BRP Sierra Madre to avoid militarizing the West Philippine Sea issue.
The AFP repudiated China’s claim of “indisputable sovereignty” over the Ayungin Shoal, a submerged reef in the Spratly Islands that is located 105 nautical miles west of Palawan.
China has been claiming sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, which overlaps with the waters of Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, Taiwan, and the Philippines.
(IAmigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — The National Security Council (NSC) on Monday (18 December 2023), brushed off apprehensions that China is in “invasion mode” on Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), saying only one of the Chinese ships remained in the area.
Ray Powell, SeaLight director at the Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation, earlier wrote about a supposed swarming of Chinese vessels inside the Ayungin Shoal within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
“On Monday, December 11th, the day after this past weekend’s contentious Philippine resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal, an extraordinary 11 Chinese vessels were visible inside the shoal while dozens more clustered around its exterior,” he wrote on the SeaLight’s website.
Powell added: “This highly unusual invasion of the shoal’s interior appears to have been a calculated show of force by Beijing.”
But NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya reputed Powell’s report.
“I got the latest data bago ako lumabas dito sa ating programa na iyong Chinese Maritime Militia ay umalis na po lahat. They already left as of yesterday’s report… Ang naiwan na lang as per our latest monitoring is one Coast Guard vessel, iyong CCG (China Coast Guard) 5204,” Malaya disclosed in a televised briefing.
In a related development, Malaya lauded the joint statement signed by Japanese and Southeast Asian leaders which showed strong support for the Philippines’ position on the WPS.
“Marami sa mga kababayan natin ang nagtataka, bakit iyong mga ibang ASEAN countries ay hindi nagsasalita kapag mayroong mga insidente ng nangyayari sa West Philippine Sea? Kaya ikinatuwa ng National Security Council iyong naging bunga ng pagsusumikap ng ating Pangulong Marcos na mahikayat iyong iba’t ibang bansa na suportahan iyong position ng Pilipinas,” Malaya noted.
(ai/mnm)
MANILA — A maritime security expert has characterized the recent influx of Chinese ships into the Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal as an “unprecedented” event.
Ray Powell, director of SeaLight and Project Lead for Project Myoushu at Stanford University’s Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation, revealed that satellite imagery captured an extraordinary 11 Chinese vessels inside the shoal, along with an additional 27 surrounding the area, some of which were engaged in a confrontation with Philippine supply boats.
The intrusion, lasting 24 hours after a Sunday confrontation with Philippine supply boats, is considered highly unusual since Chinese vessels typically return to their base in Panganiban (Mischief) Reef once the Philippine supply mission is completed.
Powell pointed out that none of the ships had their Automatic Identification System (AIS) turned on, underscoring the calculated nature of this show of force by Beijing.
Tensions escalated as 27 Chinese militia ships and the China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 5402, engaged in multiple confrontations with Philippine vessels, were detected around the shoal.
Powell expressed deep concern over China’s “aggressive behavior” throughout the weekend, citing reckless maneuvers and dangerous encounters involving the China Coast Guard and Chinese Maritime Militia vessels.
Japan has raised serious concerns about actions escalating regional tensions, echoing a statement emphasizing cooperation with regional groups to protect free, open, and peaceful seas.
The Philippines has consistently adhered to the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal award, which invalidated China’s claim on the South China Sea, while Japan opposes any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force.
In response to China’s aggressive actions, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) summoned the Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines.
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, along with counterparts from Japan and the Philippines, urged China to cease its provocative behavior.
Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder highlighted the coercive and unlawful actions, expressing US support for the Philippines in defending sovereign rights in accordance with international law.
The defense secretaries of the US and the Philippines agreed to enhance bilateral and multilateral coordination with like-minded partners to bolster interoperability and accelerate the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, reaffirming a shared vision of a free and open region grounded in transparency, the rule of law, respect for sovereignty, and peaceful dispute resolution.
(Amado Inigo/MNM)
MANILA — On early Sunday (10 Dec 2023), a Philippine resupply vessel, Unaiza May 1, collided with a China Coast Guard (CCG) ship, identified as CCG 21556, during a resupply mission to Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.
The incident, which occurred at 6:39 a.m., was confirmed by United States-based security expert Ray Powell, who monitored the situation using the automatic information system.
Despite the collision, the Philippine government has not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident.
This collision took place just a day after CCG ships deployed water cannons against three Philippine vessels near Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal.
The three vessels were en route to provide oil subsidies and groceries to Filipino fishing vessels.
Tensions in the region remain high as maritime incidents between Philippine and Chinese vessels continue to escalate.
(AI/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
TENSIONS FLARED ANEW on Sunday when the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) claimed that Chinese vessels blocked and collided with Philippine boats sending supplies to troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre in the West Philippine Sea.
The NTF-WPS reported that the incident happened at around 6:04 a.m. when the “dangerous blocking maneuvers” of China Coast Guard vessel 5203 (CCGV 5203) caused the collision with the AFP-contracted indigenous resupply boat Unaiza May 2 (UM2) approximately 13.5 nautical miles east northeast of the BRP Sierra Madre.
“The provocative, irresponsible, and illegal action of CCGV 5203 imperiled the safety of the crew of UM2,” the NTF-WPS said in a statement.
The UM2 was conducting a regular and routine rotation and resupply (RORE) mission to BRP Sierra Madre which has been deliberately grounded at the Ayungin Shoal since 1999 during the time of then President Joseph “Erap” Estrada and has since become the symbol of Philippine sovereignty.
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said that the United States “condemns PRC’s latest disruption of a legal Philippine resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal, putting the lives of Filipino service members at risk.”
But China’s coast guard countered that it “lawfully” blocked Philippine vessels that were transporting “illegal construction materials” to BRP Sierra Madre at a disputed shoal in the South China Sea. (ai/mnm)