Chinese pushed away from Ayungin – Brawner

MANILA, Philippines — The situation in Ayungin Shoal is improving as Philippine troops have been successful in pushing away Chinese maritime forces, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said yesterday.

“From what we can see, the situation is improving. We have been successful in pushing the Chinese intrusions into the shoal itself. So we are successful in pushing the Chinese back,” Brawner said.

The AFP Western Command has ordered the Chinese fishing nets to be cut.

“They (China) placed fishing nets. The order from our Western Commander was for our troops to cut the fishing nets so that mobility would still be allowed within the shoal itself,” Brawner said.

“This is in preparation of course for our resupply mission that we are going to do one of these days.”

Preparations for the resupply mission, he said, are still the same.

“We believe that the agreement that was set by the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) and their Chinese counterpart still stands so we’re optimistic that when our time to resupply comes, they will respect it,” Brawner said.

“But again, I always tell our troops that it’s our right to do the resupply mission because it’s our right to support our troops in BRP Sierra Madre,” the AFP chief said.

Meanwhile, the AFP, together with the Australian Defense Force and the Royal Canadian Navy, held a maritime cooperative activity under Exercise Alon on Saturday in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), west southwest of El Nido, Palawan.

Brawner stressed the significance of the maritime drills in the West Philippine Sea because of the threats the Philippines is facing in Palawan and in its territory.

“It is very important that we conduct these exercises this time in Palawan. Back in 2023 we did it (ALON) in Zambales and this time we are doing it here in Palawan and it’s very significant because of the threats that we are facing. Palawan is one of those areas,” Brawner said.

“We have to be able to rehearse the defense of our western seaboard so we conducted it in Zambales and this time, here in Palawan,” he added.

The Philippine Navy has reported a series of “unusual” activities by Chinese maritime forces in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal, where the BRP Sierra Madre has served as a Philippine naval outpost since 1999.

In a video released by the AFP, two Philippine rubber boats were blocking the attempt of a rigid hull inflatable boat from the China Coast Guard to go near the Sierra Madre.

Brawner said that the Chinese are still in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal.

“They have a constant presence in that area but a distance away. At least we were successful in pushing them outward,” he added.

CBCP supports PCG

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) expressed its support to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) as it continues to use peaceful and diplomatic means to fight off the aggression of Chinese ships in the WPS.

In a statement dated Aug. 21, CBCP president and Kalookan’s Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David said the Coast Guard embodies the belief of former senator Ninoy Aquino, who once said that “The Filipino is worth dying for.”

On behalf of the bishops, David commended the PCG for “its courage and professionalism in protecting our sovereign rights with restraint and discipline, despite limited resources and constant provocation.”

He also assured the Coast Guard that “We stand with you in calling for peace, dialogue and respect for international law. Justice must be the foundation of peace, and the 2016 arbitral ruling is a landmark affirmation of that justice.”

David also noted the risks that Filipino fishermen face when they sail in the WPS.

“As shepherds of God’s people, we in the CBCP recognize the hardships endured by our fisherfolk in the West Philippine Sea. When they are harassed or deprived of their catch, it is not only their livelihood that is violated and the food security of our country, but also their dignity as human beings created in the image of God,” the prelate added. — Evelyn Macairan