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Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. visits wounded personnel in Palawan. AFP handout photo" src="https://news-workbench-api.abs-cbn.com/api/upload-raw/20240326120348/53ada793653044bb1f4e8fa3f5a6785d7725166922286979ab2115b3717888c1.jpg" class="fr-fil fr-dib"/><figcaption>AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. visits wounded personnel in Palawan. AFP handout photo</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA -- Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. flew to Puerto Princesa City in Palawan on Tuesday to visit three Navy personnel who were injured in the China Coast Guard’s latest water cannon attack on a Philippine supply vessel near Ayungin Shoal.The injured personnel were on board the AFP-chartered supply boat Unaizah May 4, which was on its way to deliver fresh provisions to troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre last March 23.Two of the Navy personnel sustained injuries in the head, with one of them bearing the brunt of the water cannon attack, almost throwing him overboard.“‘Yung pressure ng water was enough to throw one of the personnel na tinamaan at nasa ospital. Tinamaan siya, solid. He was thrown to the wall… doon siya tumama. If walang dingding, he could have been thrown overboard,” Brawner told reporters at a press conference in Palawan.Another Navy personnel suffered injuries in his eye. The three are currently being treated at the Western Command Hospital.Brawner, together with Western Command commander Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos and Philippine Coast Guard commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, conferred wounded personnel medals to the injured Navy troops.The military chief also conferred wounded personnel medals to four Navy members who were hurt by broken glass in an earlier CCG water cannon attack on the same vessel on March 5. Brawner also gave military merit medals to 16 Navy personnel who were part of the March 5 and March 23 rotation and resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal. The latest water cannon attack caused severe damage to Unaizah May 4, shattering its windshield and tearing off almost half of the vessel’s roof decking.But Brawner said the mission was still “partially successful” as the AFP and PCG were able to deliver troops and supplies to BRP Sierra Madre.”This is the first time totally na pinigilan ang ating resupply boat na dumikit sa BRP Sierra Madre. Despite this, we were still partially successful because we were still able to deliver personnel and supplies doon sa BRP Sierra Madre. Ang ibang supplies ay nailipat naman natin sa RHIB [rigid hull inflatable boat] at naihatid sa BRP Sierra Madre,” Brawner noted.“But, then again, we are concerned because of the aggressiveness,” he added. In past RoRe missions, two civilian indigenous boats were being used, escorted by two PCG ships.But for Saturday’s mission, only Unaizah May 4 was deployed. This was UM4’s second voyage to Ayungin Shoal.“For this particular mission, UM4 was enough to carry all supplies and personnel,” Carlos explained.“The water cannon caused severe damage to UM4 and injuries to our personnel. Kung ano man intention nila [China], hindi natin alam,” he said.<div>‘OTHER OPTIONS’</div>In light of China’s growing assertiveness in asserting its baseless claims in the West Philippine Sea, the government’s security cluster convened on Monday to discuss the next actions to be taken.Brawner said the AFP is in close coordination with other government agencies on adjustments that can be made in future missions.”Nag-uusap ang AFP, PH Navy, PCG, BFAR at iba pang ahensya ng gobyerno kung ano at paano pa gagawin ang mga susunod na mission such that maiwasan natin ang mga ganitong insidente na merong nasusugatan,” Brawner said. “So, we can be adjusting our operations, pero hindi namin pwedeng sabihin kung ano ang adjustments na gagawin.”Carlos said the Wescom is studying all possible options while ensuring to keep the peace in the area.“As far as future RoRes, we are studying all options. We will continue to resupply our troops in Ayungin… We have a lot of options available to us,” Carlos said.“While we are enraged and disgusted by the actions of our adversary in the WPS, the Wescom and the AFP and the PCG remain committed in the maintenance of peace and order in the area. Whatever actions we take… It has to be balanced with our commitment to keep the peace,” he continued.Despite the latest incident, the AFP chief said the military will not be deterred in performing its mandate.”Tuluy-tuloy pa rin ang ating RoRe mission dahil ang BRP Sierra Madre is considered a commissioned PH Navy ship. Ang mga tao dito ay mga sundalo ng AFP. It is our duty to continue bringing supplies there to sustain them in their operations and make sure that their morale and welfare is taken care of,” Brawner noted.He also assured the public of the military’s continued presence in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).“Tuluy-tuloy ang presence ng ating uniformed personnel sa WPS. Nababantayan natin ang ating sovereignty and sovereign rights. Marami tayong ginagawang operations sa lugar na ito, kasama ang joint sails kasama ang mga allies and partners. Marami pa tayong ginagawang operations dito. What we want to assure our fisherfolks is that, let’s say, ang scientific surveys natin, kaya natin gawin nang malaya within our EEZ,” Brawner said.“Gusto nating ipaabot sa ating mga kababayan na tuluy-tuloy po kami na maglilingkod sa ating bayan. Tayong mga Pilipino ay hindi papayag na hindi tayo makapaglayag sa ating EEZ,” he added.

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. flew to Puerto Princesa City in Palawan on Tuesday to visit three Navy personnel who were injured in the China Coast Guard’s latest water cannon attack on a Philippine supply vessel near Ayungin Shoal.

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. flew to Puerto Princesa City in Palawan on Tuesday to visit three Navy personnel who were injured in the China Coast Guard’s latest water cannon attack on a Philippine supply vessel near Ayungin Shoal.

AFP chief visits Navy personnel injured in China water cannon attack

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AFP chief visits Navy personnel injured in China water cannon attack

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 26, 2024 08:51 PM PHT

Read More:

AFP

Armed Forces of the Philippines

Romeo Brawner

Philippine Navy

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