By Jet D. Antolin
CHINA has no plans to pay for the damages it caused or return the guns seized from Philippine Navy personnel during the recent Rotation and Resupply (RORE) mission Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
China has rejected the Philippines’ demand to pay P60 million equivalent to $1 million for the damages they caused in relation to the incident during the Philippines’ resupply mission to their personnel stationed at BRP Sierra Madre in the West Philippine Sea on June 17, 2024.
According to the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines, the country is at fault for allegedly violating territorial waters by conducting an illegal resupply mission.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning insisted that the Philippines must face the consequences of its actions in the said waters. The Chinese Embassy further stated that the actions of the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) on the equipment owned by the Philippines were lawful and appropriate. It can be recalled that two motorboats of the Philippines were damaged by the CCG.
They also took the weapons and personal belongings of the Philippine Navy personnel who conducted the resupply mission on the Republic of the Philippines Ship (BRP) Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal on June 17.”
