00:00Chinese vessels continue to swarm near Ayungan Shoal, where the BRP Sierra Madre remains grounded.
00:06According to the Philippine Navy, at least 20 maritime militia ships and four China Coast Guard vessels are closely monitoring the area,
00:13posing a direct challenge to the country's sovereignty.
00:16Our Patrick DeJesus tells us more.
00:20There is still the presence of Chinese ships near Ayungan Shoal, where the BRP Sierra Madre is located.
00:27According to the Philippine Navy, 20 Chinese maritime militia vessels and four China Coast Guard ships were monitored around Ayungan.
00:36Just two weeks ago, China conducted drills in the area, deploying armed ribs and fast boats,
00:42while Filipino troops prevented China Coast Guard personnel from approaching BRP Sierra Madre.
00:49Since that incident, no similar activity has been carried out again.
00:53The Philippine Navy asserted that the Philippines is not the one provoking trouble in the West Philippine Sea,
01:00and that its actions are meant to defend the country's rights and sovereignty.
01:05We have been always calling out the other side to stop the coercive and aggressive actions.
01:12Kasi pag may mangyari nito, we will get sucked in.
01:15Now, halimbawa may nangyari, we have appropriate contingencies in place.
01:19Meanwhile, BRP Antonio Luna returned to the Philippines after sustaining damage during a maritime training activity in Malaysia last August 27.
01:31The Philippine Navy is still assessing the frigate, but the damage to its freeboard area was reportedly only superficial.
01:39I would say that it did not impede the operational performance of the ship sapakat nakita naman natin na nakauwi naman siya.
01:47There are what we call levels of repair. Some are conducted by the ship's crew, others by the facilities of the Navy on land.
01:54One of the main points of assessment is whether the weapon system of BRP Antonio Luna was affected.
02:01Yun pa ang inaalam sa ating assessment team. And hindi pa naman tapos kasi it will be a thorough assessment to be conducted.
02:10Patrick De Jesus from The National TV for a new and better Philippines.
