'Deceptive, misleading: AFP rejects China claims on Ayungin 'collision' | ABS-CBN
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'Deceptive, misleading: AFP rejects China claims on Ayungin 'collision'
'Deceptive, misleading: AFP rejects China claims on Ayungin 'collision'
The presence of the China Coast Guard persists despite the effort of the Philippine Coast Guard to block them and assist the four main vessels of the second civilian resupply mission of the Atin Ito Coalition to the Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on May 15, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File
The presence of the China Coast Guard persists despite the effort of the Philippine Coast Guard to block them and assist the four main vessels of the second civilian resupply mission of the Atin Ito Coalition to the Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on May 15, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/FileMANILA (UPDATED) — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday rejected China's narrative that blamed the Philippine side in a "collision" with Beijing's vessel during Manila's recent resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
MANILA (UPDATED) — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday rejected China's narrative that blamed the Philippine side in a "collision" with Beijing's vessel during Manila's recent resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
The AFP did not provide details of the resupply mission and said it would "not dignify the deceptive and misleading claims" of the China Coast Guard (CCG).
The AFP did not provide details of the resupply mission and said it would "not dignify the deceptive and misleading claims" of the China Coast Guard (CCG).
"The main issue remains to be the illegal presence and actions of Chinese vessels within the Philippines’ EEZ, which infringes on our sovereignty and sovereign rights. The continued aggressive actions of the CCG are escalating tensions in the region,” the AFP said.
"The main issue remains to be the illegal presence and actions of Chinese vessels within the Philippines’ EEZ, which infringes on our sovereignty and sovereign rights. The continued aggressive actions of the CCG are escalating tensions in the region,” the AFP said.
“The AFP will not discuss operational details on the legal humanitarian rotation and resupply mission at Ayungin Shoal, which is well within our EEZ,” AFP Public Affairs Office chief Colonel Xerxes Trinidad told reporters in a statement.
“The AFP will not discuss operational details on the legal humanitarian rotation and resupply mission at Ayungin Shoal, which is well within our EEZ,” AFP Public Affairs Office chief Colonel Xerxes Trinidad told reporters in a statement.
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In a separate statement, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea said China engaged in “dangerous maneuvers, including ramming and towing”, while Philippine authorities were conducting routine rotation and resupply at Ayungin Shoal.
In a separate statement, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea said China engaged in “dangerous maneuvers, including ramming and towing”, while Philippine authorities were conducting routine rotation and resupply at Ayungin Shoal.
“However, the mission was disrupted by the illegal and aggressive actions of Chinese maritime forces. The People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N), China Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) vessels engaged in dangerous maneuvers, including ramming and towing,” the statement said.
“However, the mission was disrupted by the illegal and aggressive actions of Chinese maritime forces. The People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N), China Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) vessels engaged in dangerous maneuvers, including ramming and towing,” the statement said.
“Despite the illegal, aggressive, and reckless actions by the Chinese maritime forces, our personnel showed restraint and professionalism, refrained from escalating the tension, and carried on with their mission,” it added.
“Despite the illegal, aggressive, and reckless actions by the Chinese maritime forces, our personnel showed restraint and professionalism, refrained from escalating the tension, and carried on with their mission,” it added.
The CCG said in a statement on Monday that a "Philippine replenishment ship ignored many solemn warnings from the Chinese side."
The CCG said in a statement on Monday that a "Philippine replenishment ship ignored many solemn warnings from the Chinese side."
It "approached… the Chinese vessel in an unprofessional way, resulting in a collision," the CCG added.
It "approached… the Chinese vessel in an unprofessional way, resulting in a collision," the CCG added.
Beijing accused the ship of having "illegally broken into the sea near Ren’ai Reef in China’s Nansha Islands," using the Chinese name for the Spratly Islands.
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said the PCG was not in charge of the resupply mission.
Beijing accused the ship of having "illegally broken into the sea near Ren’ai Reef in China’s Nansha Islands," using the Chinese name for the Spratly Islands.
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said the PCG was not in charge of the resupply mission.
"As far as the PCG is concerned, we are not in a position to provide any details on this issue. This is not a PCG operation," Tarriela told reporters when asked to comment on the CCG’s claims.
"As far as the PCG is concerned, we are not in a position to provide any details on this issue. This is not a PCG operation," Tarriela told reporters when asked to comment on the CCG’s claims.
'A LITTLE DIFFERENT'
In its statement, the CCG said it "took control measures against the Philippine ship in accordance with the law."
In its statement, the CCG said it "took control measures against the Philippine ship in accordance with the law."
Former United States Air Force official and maritime security expert Ray Powell said China’s use of the phrase “control measures” usually indicates the use of water cannon.
“What I heard of was a collision and use of ‘control measures’ which is what the CCG has reported. Control measures, when the CCG uses these terms, often means water cannons. If it’s true, it’s not the first time we’ll see water cannons being used; not also the first time we’ll see a collision,” he told reporters in a Zoom interview on Monday.
Former United States Air Force official and maritime security expert Ray Powell said China’s use of the phrase “control measures” usually indicates the use of water cannon.
“What I heard of was a collision and use of ‘control measures’ which is what the CCG has reported. Control measures, when the CCG uses these terms, often means water cannons. If it’s true, it’s not the first time we’ll see water cannons being used; not also the first time we’ll see a collision,” he told reporters in a Zoom interview on Monday.
Powell regularly monitors the movement of vessels in the South China Sea, where the smaller West Philippine Sea is located.
Powell regularly monitors the movement of vessels in the South China Sea, where the smaller West Philippine Sea is located.
He said he tracked the PCG’s BRP Bagacay to the southeast of Ayungin Shoal.
He said he tracked the PCG’s BRP Bagacay to the southeast of Ayungin Shoal.
“I will say that the pattern that we’ve seen from the Philippine side, the only ship visible broadcasting AIS, which is what I can track, is the BRP Bagacay, which is down to the southeast of Ayungin Shoal. It’s not clear whether the collision happened in that vicinity or up further to the north, where there is also a lot of activity,” Powell said.
“I will say that the pattern that we’ve seen from the Philippine side, the only ship visible broadcasting AIS, which is what I can track, is the BRP Bagacay, which is down to the southeast of Ayungin Shoal. It’s not clear whether the collision happened in that vicinity or up further to the north, where there is also a lot of activity,” Powell said.
At least three CCG ships “running dark” were also in the vicinity of the shoal as of Monday morning, he added.
At least three CCG ships “running dark” were also in the vicinity of the shoal as of Monday morning, he added.
He also noted Monday’s resupply mission seemed different compared to operations done in the past.
He also noted Monday’s resupply mission seemed different compared to operations done in the past.
“Whatever also is true is it looks different than other resupplies we’ve seen. In the last resupply, we’ve been able to track in the sort of old model was back in the 23rd of March. Up until then, they looked roughly the same. This one looks a little different. We didn’t see the PCG escorting in from directly in the east. Again, we’ve got one ship down from the southeast. There may be others that I can’t see, but things do look a little different,” Powell said.
“Whatever also is true is it looks different than other resupplies we’ve seen. In the last resupply, we’ve been able to track in the sort of old model was back in the 23rd of March. Up until then, they looked roughly the same. This one looks a little different. We didn’t see the PCG escorting in from directly in the east. Again, we’ve got one ship down from the southeast. There may be others that I can’t see, but things do look a little different,” Powell said.
“We know there’s one PCG ship in the area. We hear there’s a Philippine resupply boat that had a collision with some Chinese vessel, and that some control measures were used, which may indicate water cannons. That’s about what we know so far,” he said.
“We know there’s one PCG ship in the area. We hear there’s a Philippine resupply boat that had a collision with some Chinese vessel, and that some control measures were used, which may indicate water cannons. That’s about what we know so far,” he said.
CHINA'S RULE VS 'TRESPASSERS'
Meanwhile, an analyst said the Philippine government should have a solid plan or contingency mechanism to address China’s actions after its new maritime rules allowing its coastguard, to detain without trial, foreigners deemed illegally trespassing in waters it claims as its own.
Meanwhile, an analyst said the Philippine government should have a solid plan or contingency mechanism to address China’s actions after its new maritime rules allowing its coastguard, to detain without trial, foreigners deemed illegally trespassing in waters it claims as its own.
“It’s always the rule of law that we should maintain, however this is quite difficult to do right now, especially if you are going up against a country like China who does not adhere to any kind of rules-based engagement,” Dr Froilan Calilung, Director of the Local Government Development Institute said in a televised briefing.
“It’s always the rule of law that we should maintain, however this is quite difficult to do right now, especially if you are going up against a country like China who does not adhere to any kind of rules-based engagement,” Dr Froilan Calilung, Director of the Local Government Development Institute said in a televised briefing.
“So I think what is important here is yung ating stance, yung ating positioning at yung ating maliwanag na declaration that the Philippine government finds this as something that is unacceptable, and of course if it is unacceptable we definitely will not adhere to it, and I think they should already send strong message to China that any action to the West Philippine Sea that will be tantamount to any kind of violation against our human rights will be dealt with accordingly,” he continued.
“So I think what is important here is yung ating stance, yung ating positioning at yung ating maliwanag na declaration that the Philippine government finds this as something that is unacceptable, and of course if it is unacceptable we definitely will not adhere to it, and I think they should already send strong message to China that any action to the West Philippine Sea that will be tantamount to any kind of violation against our human rights will be dealt with accordingly,” he continued.
“Ang kailangan lang natin siguro nito is we have a firm resolve we need to have a contingency mechanism we need to have a solid plan on how we may be able to posibly contest or neutralize whatever China is going to make.”
“Ang kailangan lang natin siguro nito is we have a firm resolve we need to have a contingency mechanism we need to have a solid plan on how we may be able to posibly contest or neutralize whatever China is going to make.”
Calilung, meanwhile, welcomes the Philippine government’s assurance to Filipino fishermen that it will look after their welfare and safety in the West Philippine Sea.
Calilung, meanwhile, welcomes the Philippine government’s assurance to Filipino fishermen that it will look after their welfare and safety in the West Philippine Sea.
The analyst, however, says that he does not see that China will go as far as to detain ‘trespassers’ for fear of international backlash, as he noted that the policy does not have any basis in international law.
The analyst, however, says that he does not see that China will go as far as to detain ‘trespassers’ for fear of international backlash, as he noted that the policy does not have any basis in international law.
“Ang sa aking palagay naman po ay hindi ito aabot talaga sa sa proseso na sila ay magkukulong ng mga illegal entrants doon sa West Philippine Sea because I firmly believe that China, though alam natin na may pagka-bully ang bansang ito, naniniwala ako na meron pa rin syang international image that somehow it is also trying to protect not only from a political and military standpoint but from more importantly from an economic perspective,” Calilung said.
“Ang sa aking palagay naman po ay hindi ito aabot talaga sa sa proseso na sila ay magkukulong ng mga illegal entrants doon sa West Philippine Sea because I firmly believe that China, though alam natin na may pagka-bully ang bansang ito, naniniwala ako na meron pa rin syang international image that somehow it is also trying to protect not only from a political and military standpoint but from more importantly from an economic perspective,” Calilung said.
— With a report from Pia Gutierrez, ABS-CBN News
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