MANILA, Philippines – TUMAAS ang presensiya o nadagdagan ang Chinese vessels, kabilang na ang rubber boats armed na may kasamang crew-served weapons, ang nasubaybayan sa Ayungin Shoal sa West Philippine Sea (WPS) kung saan ang BRP Sierra Madre (LS-57) ay nakabantay.
Sa isang kalatas, sinabi ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) na ang pagtaas ng presensiya ng Chinese vessels ay naobserbahan noong Aug. 20 sa pamamagitan ng maritime domain awareness (MDA) monitoring activities.
“In total, five CCG (Chinese Coast Guard) vessels were present, supported by 11 RHIBs (rigid-hull inflatable boat)/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,” ayon pa rin sa kalatas.
May ilang fast boats ang CCG ang naobserbahan na na-upgrade ng mounted weapons, kabilang na ang heavy crew-served weapons.
“China Coast Guard vessels have been seen conducting maneuvers and drills involving the use of water cannons at sea, while a number of smaller craft, such as rigid-hulled inflatable boats and fast boats, were also deployed inside the shoal,” dagdag na wika nito.
Gayunman, ipagpapatuloy naman ng AFP na i-monitor ang developments sa WPS.
Samantala, sa ulat, sinabi ni AFP public affairs office chief, Col. Xerxes Trinidad, na ang military ay mayroon ng contingency measures.
“We affirm our commitment in performing our mandate to protect our sovereignty and sovereign rights in the WPS,” ani Trinidad.
Tinuran ni Trinidad na patuloy na mino-monitor ng AFP ang mga aktibidad upang magbigay ng ‘clear picture’ o malinaw na pananaw ng “operational environment and awareness of the situation.” Kris Jose
