President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. convened security authorities in a command conference to discuss China's "dangerous maneuvers" during the Philippine's routine Rotation and Resupply (RORE) mission to Ayungin Shoal, according to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) on Monday, Oct. 23.
"President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. called a Command Conference this morning with all security authorities to discuss the latest violation by China in the West Philippine Sea," the PCO said in a brief statement posted on its official Facebook page.
PCO said Marcos tasked the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to "conduct an investigation, as mandated by international maritime laws."
The communications agency posted some photos taken during the command conference.
Based on the pictures, Defense Chief Gibo Teodoro, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief Romeo Brawner were among the security authorities who attended.
"This incident, brought about by dangerous, illegal, and reckless maneuvers by vessels of the China Coast Guard, caused damage to a Philippine vessel within our exclusive economic zone and is being taken seriously at the highest level of government," PCO underscored.
On Sunday morning, the National Task Force For the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) released a statement stating that the China Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese Maritime Militia executed "dangerous maneuvers" that "resulted in collisions" during the AFP's latest RORE mission to BRP Sierra Madre that is grounded in Ayungin Shoal.
The United States of America (USA) condemned China’s latest actions or what it calls “disruption” of the AFP's resupply mission.
"The United States condemns PRC’s latest disruption of a legal Philippine resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal, putting the lives of Filipino service members at risk. We stand with our #FriendsPartnersAllies in protecting sovereignty and in support of a #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific," US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
In a separate statement, the National Security Council (NSC) stood firm that the Philippines would remain committed to protecting and securing the national interest.
“We will not be deterred, and we will continue to resupply our troops in BRP Sierra Madre despite provocations,” National Security Adviser Secretary Eduardo Año said.
BASAHIN: Pahayag ng National Security Council sa pagbangga ng barko ng Chinese Coast Guard sa bangka na kinontrata ng AFP para sa resupply mission sa Ayungin Shoal | RH08 @xtian_mano
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