Photo courtesy of DND

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. assured on Monday night that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will stand firm against China's aggressive behavior in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). This declaration came in response to the China Coast Guard's (CCG) claim that a Philippine replenishment ship illegally entered Ren’ ai Reef (Ayungin Shoal), prompting what China described as necessary actions.

Teodoro condemned China's actions as contradictory to their professed principles of goodwill. He emphasized the Philippines' commitment to protecting its territorial integrity, sovereignty, and sovereign rights. "We will exert our utmost in order to fulfill our sworn mandate," Teodoro affirmed.

According to the CCG, the Filipino ship allegedly disregarded warnings and approached Chinese vessels unprofessionally, leading to a collision. However, Teodoro underscored that China's actions are widely recognized as destabilizing the South China Sea region.

The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) corroborated reports of Chinese interference, stating that the People’s Liberation Army-Navy, CCG, and Chinese Maritime Militia disrupted a routine mission at Ayungin Shoal through aggressive maneuvers including ramming and towing. Despite provocations, Philippine personnel maintained professionalism and refrained from escalating tensions.

"The Philippines remains committed to pursuing peaceful and lawful actions in accordance with international norms," the NTF-WPS reiterated, calling on China to uphold similar standards as a member of the international community.

No further details were disclosed regarding the incident.