Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

Job Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17560964986101756096497545.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Three Chinese Black RHIBs mounted with armaments, three Fast Boat and five White RHIBs were observed within Ayungin Shoal on August 20. Handout/AFP</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Philippines is monitoring the situation in the Ayungin Shoal following the reported <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/22/afp-says-chinese-activities-in-ayungin-shoal-unusual-1912">“unusual” presence of Chinese vessels </a>in the area last week, the Department of National Defense (DND) said Monday. </p><p>Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro said Philippine troops on BRP Sierra Madre, the rusty warship grounded on the shoal, were okay despite China’s increased presence in the area. </p><p>“At this time, wala kaming nakikita [na threat]. But of course laging listo. Hindi mo nga alam e kung ano ang nasa isip ng mga yan,” Teodoro told reporters on the sidelines of the National Heroes’ Day commemoration in Taguig. </p><p>“We have monitored increased presence hindi lang naman sa ayungin. Sometimes nag-iincrease, sometimes hindi dahil din kakatapos lang ng Exercise Alon na pinakamalaki na ginanap sa Palawan,” he added, referring to the joint naval drill of the Philippines and Australia. </p><p>Teodoro added that the National Maritime Council “is always informed about the situation.”</p><div><iframe width="853" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HvUJ8zX9NZk" title="PH Navy cites &#x27;unusual&#x27; activities of Chinese ships near Ayungin Shoal | ANC" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Experts told ABS-CBN News over the weekend that the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/23/ph-must-prepare-for-any-eventualities-as-china-ramps-up-activities-in-ayungin-analysts-1535">government should prepare </a>in case tensions in Ayungin flare. </p><p>A video released by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) showed two Philippine rubber boats blocking the attempt of a rigid hull inflatable boat from the China Coast Guard (CCG) to go near the BRP Sierra Madre.</p><p>Chinese personnel were recently seen carrying what seemed to be advanced weapons while aboard an inflatable boat, which could mean they were preparing to take over the Ayungin Shoal.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/24/filipino-troops-successfully-drove-away-chinese-vessels-in-ayungin-brawner-2049">Filipino troops ‘successfully drove away’ Chinese vessels in Ayungin — Brawner</a></div><p>&quot;Kung hindi nila makuha by lawful means, probably they could do forceful retake of the Ayungin Shoal,” said Prof. Chester Cabalza, founding president of the International Development and Security Cooperation. </p><p>&quot;We have to prepare for any possibilities, eventualities. And again the point is we want to defend our territory so we have to check the prospect that somebody has to pay the price,” said Prof. Renato de Castro, an international relations analyst. </p><p>Asked if the country would change its stance despite the situation, Teodoro answered in the negative.  </p><p>“To change our stance would be to the great detriment of our national interest. That is something nobody can do under our constitution and our moral obligation, obligasyon natin sa taumbayan,” the defense chief told reporters.</p><p>“Hindi natin pwede ipalit. Matindi rin ang sinabi ng Presidente, hindi tayo pwede kumompromiso ng national interest natin. Sumusuporta ang maraming bansa kasi pareho ang interes. International law at UNCLOS,” he added. </p><p>As of last week, the AFP said it monitored 25 vessels and RHIBs from the CCG and Chinese maritime militia, andtwo  aerial assets from China.</p><p>In July last year, the Philippines and China agreed on a &quot;provisional arrangement&quot; for resupplying Filipino troops stationed in Ayungin Shoal following a series of escalating confrontations in the West Philippine Sea.</p><div><iframe width="853" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8SFDEQo1g0k" title="Mga eksperto nababahala sa mga galaw ng China sa Ayungin Shoal | TV Patrol" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>The Philippines is monitoring the situation in the Ayungin Shoal following the reported “unusual” presence of Chinese vessels in the area last week, the Department of National Defense said. </p>

The Philippines is monitoring the situation in the Ayungin Shoal following the reported “unusual” presence of Chinese vessels in the area last week, the Department of National Defense said.

Philippines monitoring ‘increased presence’ of Chinese vessels in Ayungin Shoal – Teodoro

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Philippines monitoring ‘increased presence’ of Chinese vessels in Ayungin Shoal – Teodoro

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published Aug 25, 2025 12:39 PM PHT

|

Updated Aug 25, 2025 03:45 PM PHT

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Ayungin Shoal

Department of National Defense

Gibo Teodoro

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