MANILA, Philippines – Itinanggi ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) ang “false and misleading” na pahayag ng China Coast Guard (CCG) na mga tauhan ng Philippine Navy ang nagsimula ng komprontasyon malapit sa BRP Sierra Madre sa Ayungin Shoal, West Philippine Sea, noong Lunes.
Inakusahan ng China ang dalawang bangka ng Pilipinas na binangga umano ang isa nitong patrol vessel. Kinuwestiyon naman ng AFP kung bakit pinayagang lumapit sa BRP Sierra Madre ang rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB) ng CCG.
“Its presence was an unlawful intrusion into an area where the Philippines exercises sovereign rights under international law,” pahayag ng AFP nitong Martes.
Ayon sa militar, kumilos nang propesyonal at alinsunod sa rules of engagement ang mga tauhan ng Philippine Navy nang magpadala sila ng dalawang rubber boat upang paalisin ang sasakyang pandagat ng China.
“The deployment of two rubber boats was a measured, non-confrontational effort to direct the CCG vessel away. Our personnel did not initiate any confrontation,” ayon sa AFP.
Iginiit ng AFP na lumala lamang ang sitwasyon matapos hindi sundin ng CCG ang paulit-ulit na utos na umalis at hampasin ng isang Chinese personnel ang marinong Pilipino gamit ang kahoy na baton.
“Our troops exercised restraint and defended themselves within established rules. Professionalism should not be mistaken for weakness,” diin nito.
Inihalintulad ng AFP ang insidente sa nangyari noong Hunyo 17, 2024, nang magsagawa umano ang CCG ng “coercive and violent actions” laban sa mga sundalong Pilipinong nagsasagawa ng rotation and resupply mission.
“In both cases, AFP personnel demonstrated discipline despite provocation,” pahayag nito.
Inakusahan din ng AFP ang China ng pagpapalaganap ng disinformation, kabilang ang artificial intelligence-generated video ng Chinese state media, upang baluktutin ang mga pangyayari at pahinain ang 2016 Arbitral Award.
“Such narratives cannot change reality,” sinabi ng AFP.
Dagdag nito, patuloy na nagsasagawa ang People’s Liberation Army Navy, CCG at Chinese maritime militia ng magkakaugnay na ilegal at mapamilit na aktibidad na nagdudulot ng tensiyon sa West Philippine Sea.
“The AFP remains committed to its mandate. We will continue to uphold our rights, protect our personnel, and maintain our presence in Ayungin Shoal in accordance with international law,” ayon sa militar.
Sa hiwalay na panayam, sinabi ni AFP spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea at Navy reservist Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad na pinutol at hindi kumpleto ang video na inilabas ng China.
“If they started at the very beginning, you would see that the ship, the boats, came into close proximity to BRP Sierra Madre. In fact, in part of the video, you could already see that they were quite close to the ship. That is already a self-incriminating video,” ani Trinidad.
Sinabi niyang itinaboy ng mga rubber boat ng Philippine Navy ang RHIB ng China matapos itong makalapit nang hanggang 30 metro sa BRP Sierra Madre. Dave Baluyot
