PH denies promising China it would remove BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin

CNN Philippines

A figment of imagination. That's how a National Security official described China's claim the Philippines promised to remove the BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal.  Senior correspondent David Santos has the details.  Visit our website for more #NewsYouCanTrust: https://www.cnnphilippines.com/  Follow our social media pages:  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CNNPhilippines • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cnnphilippines/ • Twitter: https://twitter.com/cnnphilippines

Transcript

00:00 The Marcos administration insists there is no legal document or any proof of a binding

00:05 agreement that Manila had promised Beijing it will pull out BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin

00:11 Shoal.

00:12 "When did that commitment happen?

00:14 Who said it?

00:15 Because it would be very difficult for us to respond to a hypothetical question on the

00:22 part of China."

00:23 Malaya even calling China's assertions a figment of imagination.

00:28 Ayungin or Second Thoma Shoal, he says, is within the Philippines' exclusive economic

00:33 zone which an international arbitral ruling affirmed in 2016.

00:37 "We have no and will never sign or agree to anything that would in effect abandon our

00:50 sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the West Philippine Sea.

00:57 In particular, Ayungin Shoal."

00:59 Unlike China, which has converted man-made islands in the South China Sea into military

01:04 garrisons, the Philippines, Malaya says, is merely transporting supplies for troops stationed

01:09 at BRP Sierra Madre.

01:11 And if ever these supplies include construction materials, he says, this is to repurvish the

01:17 dilapidated military ship which remains to be a commissioned or active Navy vessel.

01:23 "If we don't maintain it, why did we put it there?

01:28 And we want to dictate to China what we can and cannot bring."

01:34 The armed forces assuring supply missions in Ayungin will continue.

01:38 And despite China notably scaling up its aggressive actions, the AFP is hopeful tensions can still

01:44 be de-escalated in this part of the West Philippine Sea.

01:47 "There's a menu of options that are available to our country.

01:52 But for operational secrecy, I cannot disclose what our plan is."

01:56 The Philippine Coast Guard, on the other hand, remains committed to supporting the armed

02:00 forces.

02:01 Aside from escorting military-chartered supply boats, it will continue to carry out more

02:06 patrols in the West Philippine Sea.

02:08 Commodore Jay Tariella tells the source, even if some PCG vessels are equipped with water

02:14 cannons, the Coast Guard will never imitate China using these for aggression.

02:19 "It can also be considered as a non-lethal weapon.

02:22 But as far as the Philippine Coast Guard is concerned, these water cannons are only used

02:27 for firefighting capability.

02:30 So if there are incidents, including fire at sea with other commercial vessels, this

02:36 is the equipment that we use.

02:38 It's more of providing search and rescue.

02:42 In short, we are using that in good use, Ms. Pinky."

02:45 And despite China's seeming penchant for provocation coupled with disinformation, the

02:50 Philippines says it will never let go of a yung inshul.

02:54 "The BRP Sierra Madre, LS-57, is a symbol of Philippine sovereignty over that area.

03:02 Even if we patented every day, we will continue to support and supply our troops."

03:12 David Santos, CNN Philippines.

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