Only 9 Chinese ships monitored near Ayungin Shoal — PH Navy

There were fewer Chinese ships that have been spotted in Ayungin Shoal over the weekend after a score of vessels were observed in the same area last Thursday, the Philippine Navy said on Monday.

 Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said that there were nine ships spotted in the disputed shoal - seven maritime militia vessels and two Chinese Coast Guard vessels. This is far from the earlier report of 20 maritime militia vessels and four CCG ships. 

“...For the past 30 years marami nang illegal presence ito ng maritime militia, ng PLA Navy at ng coast guard. Ang huling report natin after yesterday, medyo bumaba ang numbers; and we monitor this on a regular basis. Yesterday the report was seven maritime militia and two China Coast Guard ships,” said Trinidad in Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.

(...For the past 30 years there has been plenty of illegal presence by the maritime militia, the People’s Liberation Army Navy, and the coast guard. Our last report after yesterday showed the numbers have decreased a bit, and we monitor this on a regular basis. Yesterday the report was seven maritime militia and two China Coast Guard ships.)

“Ito naman ay regular nating binabantayan not only sa Ayungin Shoal but even sa Sabina, sa Hasa-Hasa, Pag-asa and even Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal. So, for yesterday, medyo bumaba ng kaunti ang numbers – this could be most likely on account of the weather, masama iyong panahon ngayon sa karagatan natin,” he added.

(We regularly monitor this not only in Ayungin Shoal but also in Sabina, Hasa-Hasa, Pag-asa, and even Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal. So, for yesterday, the numbers decreased a little— this could most likely be on account of the weather, as the weather is bad over our seas right now.)  

When asked on when will be the next resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre, the Philippine Navy said that it’s up to the Western Command. 

“The conduct of the resupply is an operational activity, details of which pinapaubaya natin sa Western Command. But we will not leave them or let them go hungry, kailangan suportahan natin. It’s a moral obligation ng ating leadership,” said Trinidad. 

(The conduct of the resupply is an operational activity, the details of which we leave to the Western Command. But we will not leave them or let them go hungry; we need to support them. It's a moral obligation of our leadership.) 

Further, the Navy official said that it has “enough contingency plans” against the possible acts of aggression from the Chinese in the next resupply mission. 

“Ito naman sa Ayungin Shoal, if ever there would be more coercive and aggressive actions, we have enough contingency plans in place to be able to respond. Bottomline is, hindi natin papabayaan iyong ating mga tropa na naka-deploy doon. We will not let them go hungry, kung anuman ang kailangan na supplies, we will keep supporting them,” said Trinidad. 

(As for Ayungin Shoal, if there are ever more coercive and aggressive actions, we have enough contingency plans in place to be able to respond. The bottom line is, we will not abandon our troops deployed there. We will not let them go hungry; whatever supplies are needed, we will keep supporting them.) 

A World War II-era Tank Landing Ship (LST) originally built for the US Navy,  the BRP Sierra Madre has been grounded in Ayungin Shoal since 1999 to serve as a military outpost and a continued presence. 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. — RF, GMA Integrated News