PH Navy: China armed boats, increased presence in Ayungin an escalation

The Philippine Navy on Friday described as "escalation" the increase of Chinese vessels including boats with upgraded weapons in Ayungin Shoal this week.

"Kung masabi natin na, is this an escalation in terms of numbers? Yes, kasi dumami 'yung ating monitoring," Philippine Navy spokesperson for West Philippine Sea (WPS) Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad told reporters. 

(If we can say that, is this an escalation in terms of numbers? Yes, because the number of monitored Chinese vessels have increased.)

In a statement, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said China Coast Guard (CCG) ships were seen on Wednesday and Thursday conducting maneuvers and drills involving the use of water cannons in Ayungin Shoal.

Smaller craft such as rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs) and fast boats were also deployed inside the shoal. Some of them have been upgraded with mounted weapons including heavy crew-served weapons.

"In total, five CCG vessels were present, supported by 11 RHIBs/fast boats and nine Chinese maritime militia vessels. Aerial assets were also monitored during the deployment, including one rotary aircraft and one unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)," the AFP said in the statement released on Tuesday evening.

Asked if the Philippine military is seeing a scenario where the Chinese will board the Philippine Navy's BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, Trinidad said the Filipino troops on the ship are prepared for this. 

"Tayo naman we do not speculate. But we have appropriate contingency measures in place. At the low, up, the tactical, operational and strategic level," Trinidad said.

The Philippine Navy official said the military is prepared for the next rotation and resupply (RoRe) mission to BRP Sierra Madre despite the increased Chinese presence.

"We ensure that the equipment are ready. 'Yung mga tao ay prepared, sufficient ang pagkain nila, ang supplies nila. Actions are within the rules of engagement," Trinidad said.

(We ensure that the equipment is ready. The people are prepared, their food is sufficient, their supplies are sufficient. Actions are within the rules of engagement.)

"The use of force is not allowed for mission accomplishment. Na hindi mo puwedeng barilin ang nanghaharang sa iyo, ika nga. You could not use force or excessive force except only in self-defense," he added.

(The use of force is not allowed for mission accomplishment. You cannot shoot anyone who is blocking you. You could not use force or excessive force except only in self-defense.)

Asked about the concern that China may use water cannons on the Philippine vessels in the next RoRe mission, Trinidad said:

"Anything can happen. This is a form of intimidation. They are trying to intimidate us."

GMA News Online has sought comment from the Chinese Embassy in Manila but it has yet to respond as of posting time.

The World War II-era BRP Sierra Madre has been grounded in Ayungin Shoal since 1999. The ship has become a symbol of Philippine sovereignty in the offshore territory.

Ayungin Shoal is a submerged reef in the Spratly Islands. The shoal is located 105 nautical miles west of Palawan and is within the Philippines 200-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.

Parts of the South China Sea that fall within Philippine territory have been renamed by the government as West Philippine Sea to reinforce the country's claim.

The West Philippine Sea refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago including Luzon Sea and the waters around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis."

China has refused to recognize the decision. — VDV, GMA Integrated News