Ched Rick Gatchalian

The Armed Forces of the Philippines, through its maritime domain awareness monitoring, has observed an increase in the presence of Chinese vessels in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on Wednesday, August 20. Photos from AFP

Article (news)

AFP says Chinese activities in Ayungin Shoal ‘unusual’

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Friday described as “unusual” the activities of Chinese maritime forces in Ayungin Shoal, where the grounded BRP Sierra Madre has served as a Philippine naval outpost since 1999.A video released by the AFP showed two Philippine rubber boats blocking the attempt of a rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) from the China Coast Guard (CCG) to go near the BRP Sierra Madre.According to Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, the Chinese RHIB was just 50 meters away from BRP Sierra Madre.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/21/armed-chinese-boats-aircraft-uav-spotted-in-ayungin-afp-2339">Armed Chinese boats, aircraft, UAV spotted in Ayungin — AFP</a></div>In another video, a Chinese RHIB fitted with mounted weapons was seen maneuvering inside the shoal.From a distance, a China Coast Guard vessel appeared to be conducting water cannon drills.The military monitored all these activities during its maritime domain awareness operation in Ayungin Shoal on Wednesday, August 20.“[It&#x27;s] unusual for them to show that they are testing their water cannons, na may pinakita silang crew-served weapon. Most likely, that was a heavy machine gun na nasa harap ng RHIB nila, although nakacover ito,” Trinidad told reporters in a phone interview.(It&#x27;s unusual for them to show they are testing their water cannon or to show a crew-served weapon. That was mos tlikely a heavy machine gun mounted on the RHIB)Apart from CCG vessels and RHIBs, several Chinese maritime militia vessels also deployed fishing nets in the southeast approach of the shoal.The military immediately removed the fishing nets, according to Trinidad.“Probably, they expect [it] to intimidate us, to make it difficult for us to conduct the RoRe [rotation and resupply mission],” the official said.He said that the AFP&#x27;s Western Command has ordered them to remove nets since these can impede watercraft.A Chinese rotary aircraft and a Chinese unmanned aerial vehicle were also spotted flying over Ayungin Shoal.Overall, the AFP monitored 25 vessels and RHIBs from the CCG and Chinese maritime militia, and 2 aerial assets from China.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/2/pcg-denies-ph-vessel-in-ayungin-shoal-towed-by-china-coast-guard-1535" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">PCG denies PH vessel in Ayungin Shoal &#x27;towed&#x27; by China Coast Guard</a></div>Despite the increase in Chinese activities in the shoal, the morale of Filipino soldiers stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre remains high.“Ang troops natin ay mga beterano (Our troops are veterans). They have been all over the country—sa hotspots natin. So, they know what they are facing. They know their capabilities,” Trinidad explained.<div> </div><div>&#x27;NOT JUST A MATTER OF CONCERN BUT CONDEMNATION’</div>Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., meanwhile, condemned the incident.“The activities of China, whether in Ayungin Shoal or in any area under [its baseless] claims, are not just a matter of concern but condemnation because it is a gross violation of international law and a product of false claims,” Teodoro said in a press briefing following a meeting with his Australian counterpart in Makati City.“We need to stand up to this,” he added.Teodoro stressed that due to China’s illegal actions, the deficit of trust towards Beijing is widening.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/31/teodoro-china-needs-to-overcome-deficit-of-trust-0223">Teodoro: China needs to overcome &#x27;deficit of trust&#x27;</a></div>“Their activities will not be tolerated by the international community and by us,” the defense chief emphasized.“We are used to negotiating with good faith, not insincerity. There is a deficit of trust they [China] need to overcome. With these activities, the deficit has widened,” he added. SIGNAL TO CHINA’S DOMESTIC AUDIENCE According to National Maritime Council spokesperson Alexander Lopez, China’s aggression in Ayungin Shoal is meant to show its own citizens that it still maintains control over the area.This comes after the August 11 incident in Bajo de Masinloc, where a CCG ship and a People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy warship collided while chasing the Philippines’ BRP Suluan.“Yung nangyari sa kanila noong August 11 ay malaking sampal sa kanila, malaking kahihiyan. Inexpect namin na magdadagdag sila ng vessels nila, not only sa Ayungin but also in Bajo de Masinloc, just to cover up their embarrassment,” Lopez said in an interview on DZMM Radyo Patrol 630.“Ang audience nila is basically domestic, at gusto nilang iparating sa kanilang mga mamamayan na they are still in control. More on show of force,” he added.As of Friday, Chinese vessels remain near BRP Sierra Madre, according to the AFP.AFP chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. has ordered troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre not to allow any Chinese personnel to approach or board the ship.“Ang guidance natin sa mga tropa doon is that they practice maximum tolerance and still observe the rule of law. Hayaan nating magviolate ang China ng rules of engagement and international law basta tayo, we will remain in our post,” Brawner told reporters in an ambush interview in Makati City.He then continued, “Tense ang situation dahil lumalapit sila pero ang mga tropa natin continue to push them outward.”<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/27/almost-a-decade-after-tribunal-ruling-another-aquino-keeps-fight-for-west-ph-sea-alive-1531">Almost a decade after tribunal ruling, another Aquino keeps fight for West PH Sea alive</a></div>“Ang utos ko ay pigilang makaboard ang Chinese sa BRP Sierra Madre. If they do that, we will prevent them from doing so. By boarding our ship, it’s like coming to our territory,” he further said.Although the AFP sees no need yet to deploy additional troops and vessels to the area, Brawner assured that the military is ready for any possible eventuality.“Under the rules of engagement, we will apply the appropriate force considering the situation… Handa naman tayo dun,” the AFP chief noted.“The DFA is doing their role also, trying to coordinate with their counterparts from China,” he added.Brawner also emphasized that rotation and resupply missions to the grounded vessel will continue.

A video released by the AFP showed two Philippine rubber boats blocking the attempt of a rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) from the China Coast Guard (CCG) to go near the BRP Sierra Madre.

A video released by the AFP showed two Philippine rubber boats blocking the attempt of a rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) from the China Coast Guard (CCG) to go near the BRP Sierra Madre.