KAYANG tutulan at pigilan ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) ang mapanganib at ‘reckless behavior’ ng Tsina sa West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Inihayag ito ni Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. matapos sabihin ng China Coast Guard (CCG) na ilegal na pumasok ang Philippine replenishment ship sa Ren’ ai Reef (Ayungin Shoal), araw ng Lunes, dahilan para mapilitan ang kanilang mga opisyal na gumawa ng kaukulang hakbang.

“Their behavior contravenes their statements of good faith and decency. We will exert our utmost in order to fulfill our sworn mandate to protect our territorial integrity, sovereignty and sovereign rights,” ayon kay Teodoro.

Sinabi ng CCG na di umano’y binalewala ng Filipino ship ang babala at naging unprofessional ito nang lumapit sa Chinese ships na naging sanhi ng banggaan.

Binigyang-diin pa ni Teodoro na malinaw sa international community na ang naging hakbang ng Tsina ay tunay na balakid sa kapayapaan at katatagan sa WPS.

Samantala, kinumpirma naman ng National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) ang “illegal and aggressive actions” ng mga Tsino para sirain ang routine rotation at resupply mission para sa mga tropa na nagbabantay sa BRP Sierra Madre (LS-57) sa Ayungin Shoal.

“The People’s Liberation Army-Navy, CCG and Chinese Maritime Militia vessels engaged in dangerous maneuvers, including ramming and towing. Despite the illegal, aggressive, and reckless actions by the Chinese maritime forces, our personnel showed restraint and professionalism, refrained from escalating the tension, and carried on with their mission,” ayon sa task force. (CHRISTIAN DALE)