BRP Sierra Madre crew recount how cyanide was seized from Chinese in Ayungin Shoal

Two Philippine Navy sailors of the BRP Sierra Madre recounted how they intercepted Chinese fishing boats near Ayungin Shoal that led to the recovery of bottles containing cyanide.

In an interview with the media on Tuesday, alias “Hermes” and alias “Poseidon” said they seized the deadly chemicals from what they said are Chinese fishermen in separate incidents in February, July, and October last year.

Their identities were not disclosed due to security reasons, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

“May na-monitor kami na sampan and as part of our mission doon sa BRP Sierra Madre, we ensure the security of the vessel as well as its personnel. 

(We monitored a sampan and as part of our mission on the BRP Sierra Madre.)

“We provide rubber boats to intercept said sampan. And when nakalapit na yung sampan, tinawag ng fishermen na Chinese yung mga kasama niya. By that time, sinubukan ng mga troops natin na patigilin sila, not to move away from their position,” he added.

(When we got near the sampan, the Chinese fishermen called their companions. By that tine, our troops attempted to stop them.)

They saw the bottles on the boat and right away, Hermes said they suspected these contained cyanide.

How dangerous is cyanide to marine life?

“Nakita nila by naked eye, doon sa board ng sampan nila, yung mga said containers .That time is sinu-suspect pa lang namin na it contained cyanide and with the recent press conference, it tested positive,” he added.

(They saw with the naked eye, onboard the sampan, these said containers. That time we suspected these contained cyanide.)

Asked about the reaction of the Chinese fishers, Poseidon said, “Hindi man sila nagsasalita naman pero ‘yun nga po winaward off namin sila.”

(They might not have been speaking but we were warding them away.)

Hermes said the concerned Chinese fishers did not respond and instead tried to move away from the area. According to the BRP Sierra Madre crew, the Chinese were avoiding contact.

“Hindi sila nagpaliwanag. Actually, hindi rin sila sumubok na magsalita. Hindi ganun, sa actions nila na gusto nilang lumayo as much as possible. Gusto nilang umalis and not to be apprehended,” he added.

(They offered no explanation. Actually, they did not attempt to speak. Their action showed they wanted to get away as far as possible. They wanted to flee.)

Poseidon said that he noticed that some coral around Ayungin Shoal was already dying.

“During my stay there, matagal din ako doon. Halos nakita ko ‘yung ilalim niya napakaganda. Tapos nakakalungkot lang na may mga part na patay na,” Poseidon said.

(I was there for some time. What was underneath the water was beautiful. But it was sad to see parts that have died.)

The crew members said they believe the approach of the boats was deliberate, as they appeared to be heading toward areas near the Philippine-held outpost.

The BRP Sierra Madre is a World War II-era Tank Landing Ship that was deliberately ran aground in Ayungin Shoal in 1999 to serve as a symbol to the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.  

The Chinese boats reportedly came as close as around 300 yards from the Sierra Madre.

Despite recovering the suspected cyanide, the PN did not apprehend the fishermen, citing operational and security constraints, including the lack of facilities onboard to detain individuals.

The AFP presented the BRP Sierra Madre personnel after Beijing rejected the allegations.

“The Philippine side illegally harassed the Chinese fishing boats conducting normal fishing, grabbed the fishermen’s living supplies, and staged this so-called cyanide stunt. There is no credibility whatsoever to their story,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Monday.

“China always acts prudently and responsibly on the export of military products, and exercises strict control in accordance with China’s laws and regulations on export control and due international obligations. China opposes groundless smear and ill-intentioned association,” he added. —RF, GMA News