PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan (PIA)–The Western Command (WESCOM) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines cited that the decrease in number of rotation and reprovisioning (RoRe) missions conducted over Ayungin Shoal and Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) was an impact of the China’s aggressive move on country’s operations this year.
WESCOM Deputy Commander for External Defense Operations, Commodore Constancio Arturo Reyes, Jr., said in a Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas that they are keen to know the motive of China on its aggressive actions towards RoRe missions, particularly over Ayungin Shoal.
Reyes shared that from 27 missions in 2023, wherein 14 were conducted in Ayungin Shoal and 13 in KIG, it decreased to eight missions for the first semester of 2024. From January to June, there were four missions conducted in Ayungin Shoal and four in KIG.
“Ang ating kapitbahay ay nagiging agresibo sila sa ating ginagawa na official RoRe. Tayo ay nagpapalit ng tao at nagsusuplay. Nagkakataon lang na dito sa Ayungin ay medyo mainit sila sa atin. Hindi rin natin alam ang kadahilanan. Dati rati naman ay tahimik at maayos ang ating pagsasagawa ng RoRe,” he said.
It can be recalled that the AFP reported the obstruction made by the China Coast Guard (CCG) on its RoRe mission on June 17 at BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal. AFP, in its footage, showed that CCG used physical attacks, bladed weapons, blaring sirens, and blinding strobe lights.
The videos also showed Seaman First Class Underwater Operator Jeffrey Facundo, who lost a thumb during the clash in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
“Kung ano ang motive ng China ay hindi natin alam, iyan ang gusto natin malaman kung ano ang pinagmumulan noon at bakit sila pursigido ngayon compared to the past years. Hindi lang naman Ayungin ang ating pinupuntahan. Meron pa tayong pitong isla na pinupuntahan. Ito rin lang talaga nasi-single out na Ayungin, gigil na gigil sila sa atin,” he said.
On August 8, Chinese aircraft dropped flares into the path of a Philippine Air Force plane during a routine maritime patrol over Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal in WPS.
President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., condemned the incident and called it “unjustified, illegal and reckless” in a statement, and urged China to demonstrate capability of responsible action both in sea and skies.
The Philippines will file a diplomatic protest against China over an incident, according to Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo.
Even though outside of Reyes’ area of responsibility, he still hopes that this incident will raise the awareness of Filipinos on the actions made by China.
“Sana magkaroon ng kaalaman ang ating mga kababayan na ang ginagawa nila ay hindi lang sa dagat, pati sa ating kalangitan,” he said.(RG/PIA MIMAROPA-Palawan)
