Dennis Gasgonia

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

MANILA - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Saturday has rejected the recent claims from the Chinese Embassy in Manila that attempted to revise history regarding the presence of the BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal.In a statement, AFP spokesperson Ret. Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said the Chinese Communist Party speaks of &quot;promises&quot; and &quot;demands,&quot; &quot;yet it very easily forgets its own track record of deceptive narratives in (Philippine) waters.&quot;&quot;Let us look back to 1995 when the CCP first illegally occupied Panganiban Reef (Mischief Reef)—a feature within our EEZ,&quot; said Trinidad.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/12/ph-does-not-need-to-seek-approval-for-ayungin-resupply-missions-afp-1639">PH does not need to seek approval for Ayungin resupply missions—AFP</a></div>&quot;It is on record that their foreign ministry leadership assured the Philippines and the international community the small, octagonal wooden structures built on stilts were merely &#x27;shelters for local fishermen&#x27;... Today, those &#x27;shelters&#x27; have been transformed into a fortified, 550-hectare military airbase complete with a 3,000-meter runway, missile emplacements, radar domes and naval berths.&quot;Trinidad said Mischief Reef stands as a concrete monument to China&#x27;s deceptive strategy in the West Philippine Sea.This is contrary to the presence of the BRP Sierra Madre on Ayungin Shoal which he cited as &quot;a lawful, permanent sovereign deployment on a feature over which we exercise sovereign rights and jurisdiction.&quot;  &quot;This was affirmed by the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal which ruled that Ayungin Shoal is a low-tide elevation w/in our EEZ and that China&#x27;s claims are completely devoid of any legal basis,&quot; said Trinidad.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/14/ph-china-arrangement-on-brp-sierra-madre-resupply-missions-does-not-weaken-ph-sovereign-rights-1538">Marcos: Arrangement with China on BRP Sierra Madre resupply missions ‘does not weaken’ PH sovereign rights</a></div>He added that there is &quot;no binding commitment was made to remove the BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal.&quot;&quot;The AFP remains firm in executing its mandate to protect Philippine national sovereignty, uphold international law, and maintain our presence on Ayungin Shoal. We will never abandon BRP Sierra Madre.&quot;

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Saturday has rejected the recent claims from the Chinese Embassy in Manila that attempted to revise history regarding the presence of the BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Saturday has rejected the recent claims from the Chinese Embassy in Manila that attempted to revise history regarding the presence of the BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal.

AFP: 'We will never abandon BRP Sierra Madre'

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AFP: 'We will never abandon BRP Sierra Madre'

ABS-CBN News

Published August 22, 2026 08:48 PM PHT

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