During a press conference held on Monday, October 23, 2023, at the National Security Council’s National Intelligence Center on V. Luna Road in Quezon City, key spokespersons addressed the recent incident involving China’s coast guard and its dangerous maneuvers in the West Philippine Sea.
The press conference was led by National Security Council (NSC) Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Spokesperson Ambassador Teresita Daza, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commodore and Spokesperson Jay Tarriela, and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Spokesperson Medel Aguilar.
The incident under discussion took place near Ayungin Shoal, where a collision occurred between a Philippine Coast Guard vessel and a maritime militia vessel from China.
Tensions escalated on the previous Sunday when the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) reported that China’s Coast Guard, along with its maritime militia vessels, had intentionally blocked and collided with a Philippine boat engaged in a supply mission.
This mission was destined for a group of Philippine Marines stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the West Philippine Sea.
The NTF-WPS press briefing shed light on this concerning development and took place at the National Security Council’s National Intelligence Center. The incident underscores the ongoing challenges and concerns in the West Philippine Sea.
(Report and photography by Benjamin Cuaresma)