The Philippine Navy said on Tuesday that Chinese vessels have interfered in 3 out of 14 rotation and resupply missions to the West Philippine Sea (WPS) in 2023.
Philippine Navy spokesperson for WPS Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad, in a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, said most of the interference in 2023 occurred in Ayungin Shoal.
“On the number of incidents that there were illegal actions by the maritime militia or the Chinese Coast Guard, I would say that less than half,” Trinidad said.
These harassments included water cannon incidents, dangerous maneuvers, and the presence of Chinese Navy and Coast Guard vessels as well as their militia ships in the area during the missions, according to the Navy official.
The Navy reported that 28 rotation and resupply missions were successfully conducted last year.
The latest rotation and resupply mission for BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal was a success and was described as “flawless” by the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
American maritime security analyst Ray Powell said that the AFP’s latest resupply mission was “very different” as China’s usual blockade hasn’t materialized.
All China’s militia vessels were staying back by Mischief Reef, according to Powell. The Atin Ito Coalition on Tuesday lauded Catholic bishops for defending the WPS against China’s aggression.
Edicio dela Torre, the group’s co-convenor, cited six Catholic bishops for their courageous defense of Filipino fisherfolk and condemnation of Chinese aggression in the disputed waters.
“Atin Ito commends our brave Catholic bishops for standing in solidarity with our fellow countrymen and women, particularly in protecting our fisherfolk and frontline defenders against Chinese aggression while asserting our rightful sovereignty,” he said.
Now, more than ever, we have an opportunity to unite across diverse backgrounds and affirm that the West Philippine Sea and its resources belong to the Filipino people,” he added.
The bishops residing in areas adjacent to the resource-rich West Philippine Sea called the urged the Catholic faithful to defend the rights and livelihood of the impoverished fisherfolk, citing the moral duty to seek assistance from allies if diplomatic efforts fail.
Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, ex-Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines president and Taytay Palawan Bishop Broderick Pabillo, Iba Bishop Bartolome Santos Jr., Bishop Daniel Presto of San Fernando de la Union, Bishop Socrates Mesiona of Puerto Princesa and Lingayen-Dagupan Auxiliary Bishop Fidelis Layog made the tough stance, which many viewed as extraordinary given that Catholic bishops, who typically address domestic matters, would seldom comment on foreign policy.
Rafaela David, Akbayan Party president and also a co-convenor of Atin Ito, said she is hoping that the prelates’ statement would spark the creation of a broad Church-people movement to tackle the West Philippine Sea issues.
“We are deeply moved by the bishops’ statement and hope for the emergence of a unified Church-people movement to safeguard the WPS, our fisherfolk, and frontline defenders against Chinese aggression,” she said.
She said Atin Ito is planning a second civilian supply mission to the West Philippine Sea, particularly to Bajo de Masinloc.
“We envision this not only as a national endeavor but also an international one, inviting foreign observers to monitor the situation in the West Philippine Sea and China’s unacceptable behavior in the region. We aim for it to be bigger, bolder and more innovative,” she noted.