Sen. Francis Tolentino suggests that an International Committee of the Red Cross (IRC) vessel should accompany the next resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre.
Tolentino made the suggestion to the Philippine Coast Guard after the National Task Force on West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) said that China disrupted another resupply operation to the aground vessel at the Ayungin Shoal.
The senator doubts that China will take any action against the international humanitarian aid body.
"Magdala na tayo ng pagkain na may kasunod na International Red Cross vessel," Tolentino said on Tuesday, June 18, during DZRH's Damdaming Bayan.
"Ibig sabihin humanitarian aid na talaga yung binibigay natin. Kapag binangga pa nila yung isang IRC vessel na may krus na pula, sa palagay ko, ibang usapan na iyon, kalaban na nila lahat," he added.
Tolentino said that the actions of China starves the personnel in BRP Sierra Madre and violates international humanitarian laws.
NTF-WPS said on Monday, June 17, that ships of People's Liberation Army - Navy, China Coast Guard, and the Chinese Maritime Militia engaged in dangerous maneuvers, including ramming and towing.
NTF-WPS condemned the actions of the Chinese vessels, which the task force decried as illegal, aggressive, and reckless.
"Their actions put at risk the lives of our personnel and damaged our boats, in blatant violation of international law, particularly the United Nations Charter, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award," the NTF-WPS said.
