PHILIPPINE Navy serviceman Seaman First Class Underwater Operator Jeffrey Facundo relates before senators during the Committee on Foreign Relations hearing Tuesday, June 25, 2024, the collision between a Chinese Coast Guard ship and a Filipino vessel performing rotation and resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal last June 17.
Facundo’s right thumb was severely injured during the incident.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. conferred the injured soldier the Order of Lapu-Lapu Rank of Kampilan
During the committee hearing Tuesday, June 25, 2024, Marcos said there is a need to examine the events to determine how the Philippine government can better protect Filipino servicemen and citizens during rotation and resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal and to ascertain how it can improve its strategies to make them more effective and safe while asserting the country’s sovereign rights.
“Was it (Ayungin incident) an accident?” Senator Imee Marcos asked Facundo, the PN personnel whose thumb was severed during the incident. “What was the intention, in your personal opinion,” the senator added. Facundo said it was not an accident and that the intention was to prevent Navy personnel from conducting the rotation and resupply (RORE) mission to BRP Sierra Madre. (Bibo Nueva)
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