The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) strongly denied the allegation of firing by BRP Sierra Madre personnel at China Coast Guard (CCG) personnel in Ayungin Shoal.
In a statement on Tuesday, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr. said "troops were seen on guard because of the CCG's provocative presence near BRP Sierra Madre."
The statement stemmed from a report by the state-run China Global Television Network (CTGN) over the weekend claiming that Philippine soldiers allegedly pointed guns at the CCG.
The vessel reportedly got near the AFP’s naval outpost in the West Philippine Sea, as shown in news footage.
Brawner said the BRP Sierra Madre troops were on heightened vigilance because the CCG was “dangerously close” to the grounded Philippine Navy warship.
The AFP Chief noted that the AFP personnel are conforming to the rules of their duty.
"Our personnel are governed by the Rules of Engagement (ROE) and clearly acted with the highest level of professionalism, restraint, and discipline in the performance of their mission to safeguard our sovereignty and sovereign rights," he said.
There have been many aggressive actions by the CCG in the West Philippine Sea including the recent CCG's seizure and disposal of food and other supplies meant for Filipino soldiers stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.
WATCH: Ipinakita ng @TeamAFP kung paano inagaw ng mga tauhan ng China ang in-air drop na supplies para sa mga sundalong nakaposte sa BRP Sierra Madre. | RH 52 @ednielparrosa, DZRH News#SamaSamaTayoPilipino pic.twitter.com/d6thu3IZKV
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) June 4, 2024
Ayungin Shoal is within the Philippine exclusive economic zone, as it was also ruled in a 2016 arbitral ruling.
China still upholds its power over what they claim is the South China Sea.
