NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
AFP Chief Denies China's Claims In WPS Encounter
General Romeo S Brawner Jr, visited BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal on Sunday, December 10, 2023. Photo courtesy of AFP
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. dismissed China's accusations against the Philippines, shedding light on an incident in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
He refuted China's attempt to twist the narrative, asserting that the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) could only be invoked in the presence of an armed attack.
Brawner, who was on the supply boat Unaiza Mae during the encounter, described the harrowing harassment by Chinese coast guard and militia vessels.
He emphasized the dangerous maneuvers employed by the Chinese, narrating how they played a game of cat and mouse, blocking the Filipino supply boat and even resorting to water cannoning. He denounced China's false claims, asserting that they were the aggressors and fabricators of the truth.
Addressing questions about a potential change in strategy, Gen. Brawner highlighted the need for a holistic approach involving not only the military but also the coast guard, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and Filipino fishermen. He stressed the importance of a whole-of-nation approach, incorporating diplomacy alongside protests and continuous dialogue with Chinese officials.
When asked about the continuity of the resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal, Gen. Brawner affirmed that the obligation to provide support to military outposts, such as the BRP Sierra Madre, remains steadfast. Quoting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., he reiterated the commitment to safeguarding Ayungin Shoal as one of the frontlines in the WPS.
Regarding the invocation of the MDT, Gen. Brawner clarified that the treaty could only be triggered in the event of an armed attack, emphasizing that water cannoning did not qualify as such.
He denounced China's actions as "gray zone tactics," emphasizing that the Philippines views them as illegal, coercive, aggressive, dangerous, and deceptive. As tensions escalate in the WPS, the AFP remains vigilant in defending Philippine sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He refuted China's attempt to twist the narrative, asserting that the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) could only be invoked in the presence of an armed attack.
Brawner, who was on the supply boat Unaiza Mae during the encounter, described the harrowing harassment by Chinese coast guard and militia vessels.
He emphasized the dangerous maneuvers employed by the Chinese, narrating how they played a game of cat and mouse, blocking the Filipino supply boat and even resorting to water cannoning. He denounced China's false claims, asserting that they were the aggressors and fabricators of the truth.
Addressing questions about a potential change in strategy, Gen. Brawner highlighted the need for a holistic approach involving not only the military but also the coast guard, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and Filipino fishermen. He stressed the importance of a whole-of-nation approach, incorporating diplomacy alongside protests and continuous dialogue with Chinese officials.
When asked about the continuity of the resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal, Gen. Brawner affirmed that the obligation to provide support to military outposts, such as the BRP Sierra Madre, remains steadfast. Quoting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., he reiterated the commitment to safeguarding Ayungin Shoal as one of the frontlines in the WPS.
Regarding the invocation of the MDT, Gen. Brawner clarified that the treaty could only be triggered in the event of an armed attack, emphasizing that water cannoning did not qualify as such.
He denounced China's actions as "gray zone tactics," emphasizing that the Philippines views them as illegal, coercive, aggressive, dangerous, and deceptive. As tensions escalate in the WPS, the AFP remains vigilant in defending Philippine sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Dec 12, 2023
