Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner Jr. on Monday, Dec. 11, said he personally witnessed China's water cannon attack and ramming against Philippine vessels during the rotation and resupply (Rore) mission to BRP Sierra Madre that is grounded in Ayungin Shoal.
Interviewed during DZRH Dos Por Dos, Brawner shared that he was onboard Unaizah Mae 1, the resupply boat of the Philippine Coast Guard, when China fired water cannons and cut their path.
"Sinakyan ko po 'yung Unaizah Mae, 'yun pong resupply boat natin. Kaya't naranasan ko first hand kung ano ang ginagawang pambu-bully ng China," he said.
"Hindi lang water cannon, ilang beses kaming na-cut. Yung paglayag namin doon, ilang beses na-cut doon sa harap ng Chinese militia at Chinese Coast Guard. At ayun nga po, binangga tayo ng Chinese Coast Guard," the AFP Chief of Staff added.
Gen. Romeo Brawner, Chief of Staff, AFP, bilang unang nakarating sa BRP Sierra Madre: Ako ang una. Meron silang signature board doon at nakita ko ang mga pangalan. Ako ang unang chief of staff na nagsulat sa board.#DosPorDos#SamaSamaTayoPilipino
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) December 10, 2023
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Brawner is reportedly the first AFP Chief of Staff to join a resupply mission in WPS.
According to Brawner, China's water bomb attack left damages in Unaizah Mae, but this did not impede their journey.
"Kami lang ang nakalusot. Tinamaan ang makina [MV Kalayaan], ayaw nang umandar ng makina kaya tinow nalang ng Philippine Crooast Guard pabalik. Hindi na nakaabot sa BRP Sierra Madre 'yong MV Kalayaan," he said.
The AFP Chief of Staff believes that it is time for the Philippines to sit down and talk with China.
"Kailangan talaga na pag-usapan ito with China dahil hindi na maganda ang mga nangayayari. Talagang binu-bully tayo doon," Brawner remarked.
But despite the attacks, he said the RoRe to Ayungin must continue, noting that soldiers need continuous aid.
"Tuloy pa rin [ang misyon] kasi talagang kailangan ng supply ng mga sundalo natin at nakita ko ang kalagayan nga mga sundalo doon. Bagama't mahirap ang kondisyon doon, high morale naman sila," the AFP Chief of Staff said.
In a statement posted on its official Facebook page, AFP said Brawner joined the resupply mission to convey the message of President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr.
The state forces said the AFP Chief of Staff personally conveyed Marcos' "appreciation and yuletide greetings" to the personnel on board the BRP Sierra Madre.
