Resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre 'successful,' says AFP | ABS-CBN

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Resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre 'successful,' says AFP

Resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre 'successful,' says AFP

Raffy Cabristante,

ABS-CBN News

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Troops at the BRP Sierra Madre pose with their noche buena packages given to them following a resupply mission on Dec. 18, 2022. AFP Western Command
Troops at the BRP Sierra Madre pose with their noche buena packages given to them following a resupply mission on Dec. 18, 2022. AFP Western Command

MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command (WESCOM) on Sunday announced that it had successfully resupplied troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre near Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, despite being challenged by Chinese vessels.

During the resupply mission, several vessels from the Chinese Coast Guard and Chinese militia vessels "challenged and shadowed" the Philippine supply boat.

WESCOM said the Chinese vessels had claimed that the seas near the Philippine ship were "under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China."

"These radio challenges would always be followed by CCG's shadowing and close maneuvers against Philippine supply boats to try to disrupt the mission," WESCOM said.

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"The Philippine supply boats, on the other hand, would respond and proceed to their planned route despite the challenges," it added.

Aside from the usual supplies for the troops stationed at the West Philippine Sea, they were also given noche buena packages in time for Christmas.

For his part, WESCOM commander Vice Adm. Alberto Carlos said BRP Sierra Madre played an important role in protecting Philippine waters, as it is the nearest outpost to China's military garrison on Mischief Reef.

"The Mischief garrison is in our country's exclusive economic zone and is China's closest military facility to Palawan. That is why resupply missions are critical in maintaining our presence in Ayungin," Carlos added.

This is the 11th resupply mission this year, and the 5th under the Marcos Jr. administration.

Chinese vessels had previously challenged and shadowed Philippine vessels in their attempts to resupply troops at BRP Sierra Madre.

Last April, China even blocked the entrance of the Ayungin Shoal with nets and ropes and deployed Chinese militia vessels and rubber boats.

"Our mission team has never requested permission to conduct resupply and other maritime operations in our territory and EEZ," Carlos said.

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Carpio warns public against voting for ‘pro-China’ candidates

Carpio warns public against voting for ‘pro-China’ candidates

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

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MANILA – Retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio has urged the public to be wary in voting for “pro-China” candidates in this year’s elections, saying these candidates would rather push for the Beijing's interests if elected into office. 

Carpio, without naming persons, said that these candidates have China’s financial backing. 

China, he said, might also be fueling disinformation online to further divide the public. 

“This election is not purely about internal politics, about internal matters, because there is a country that wants to grab our maritime zones and island territories. So, we should be careful not to vote for Manchurian candidates, candidates who will do China's bidding,” Carpio said in a statement released by Stratbase ADR Institute. 

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“They can come out with their own social media campaign,” the former SC magistrate said. 

“As we have seen in the past, recent past, that there have been candidates, who, when they won, were favoring China against our national interest,” he added

Carpio also said the West Philippine Sea could be at stake if pro-China candidates would win in this year’s polls. 

“Those who are pro-China, they [China] can give campaign funds to. That's usually what other countries do if they want to destabilize a certain state. I expect China to do that... Once elected, they will say, the Philippines has no right to name the West Philippine Sea as West Philippine Sea,” according to Carpio. 

For his part, Dindo Manhit, president of the Stratbase ADR Institute, cautioned voters from patronizing candidates who downplay the 2016 The Hague ruling on the West Philippine Sea. 

“Upholding our arbitral victory is not just a matter of policy but a fundamental duty of any leader who claims to serve the nation. Ignoring it means turning a blind eye to our territorial integrity,” said Manhit. 

“Vote for leaders who are patriotic and will fight for the Philippines. A true leader must stand firm in defending what is rightfully ours and not succumb to foreign pressure. The West Philippine Sea is a vital part of our national identity, economy, and security,” he said. 

Sought for comment on the issue, the Chinese Embassy said Philippine elections are an internal matter. 

Chinese vessels have engaged in a series of high-profile confrontations with Philippine ships in disputed waters of the South China Sea claimed by Beijing despite an international ruling that their assertion has no legal basis.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in kicking off the campaign season, had brought up the West Philippine Sea to differentiate the administration slate from other candidates.

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