THE Philippine Coast Guard on Fridays said it assisted in the routine Rotation and Resupply (RoRe) mission in Ayungin Shoal conducted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
The PCG deployed two 44-meter vessels, namely BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409) and BRP Sindangan (MRRV-4407), as escort ships for the resupply boats.
The routine RoRe mission was again subjected to dangerous maneuvers by the four China Coast Guard (CCG 21616, CCG 21551, CCG 21556, and CCG 5305) and four Chinese Maritime Militia (QIONG SANSHA YU 00231, QIONG SANSHA YU 00115, QIONG SANSHA YU 00114, and QIONG SANSHA YU 00008), jeopardizing the crew members’ safety aboard the PCG vessels and Philippine resupply boats.
Despite the challenging circumstances brought about by the illegal presence and activities of the CCG and CMM in our exclusive economic zone, the mission was carried out successfully.
The much-needed supplies were delivered to PH’s dedicated troops aboard the BRP Sierra Madre.
“The PCG stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the AFP in our shared commitment to safeguarding our sovereignty, sovereign rights, and maritime jurisdiction in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award and other relevant international instruments, including the 1972 Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS),” the PCG said
The PCG calls upon the CCG and CMM to immediately cease any illegal activities within the maritime zones of the Philippines.
Doing so can foster a stable, secure, and rules-based maritime order conducive to regional cooperation and peace. Under the leadership of the Commandant, Coast Guard Admiral Artemio Abu, the PCG supports President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call, made during the recent ASEAN Summit, for the Southeast Asian nations to unite against the use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels in the South China Sea to pursue claims inconsistent with international law.
