FRANCE MARSEC in ASIA PACIFIC

STATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL TASK FORCE FOR THE WEST PHILIPPINE SEA 23 March 2024, Manila, Philippines This morning, a routine rotation and resupply (RoRe) mission to BRP SIERRA MADRE (LS 57) at Ayungin Shoal was conducted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to rotate in necessary personnel. China Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) vessels once again harassed, blocked, deployed water cannons, and executed dangerous maneuvers against the routine RoRe mission that led to significant damage to the supply vessel and caused injury to personnel. From on or about 04:00 AM of 23 March 2024, CCG vessels working in tandem with CMM vessels acted recklessly and dangerously against PCG vessels and Unaizah May 4 (UM4). Their reckless and dangerous actions culminated with the water cannoning of UM4 causing severe damage to the vessel and injuries to Filipinos onboard. PCG vessels MRRV 4407 and 4409 broke through CCG and CCM attempts to obstruct them and provided immediate relief and assistance to the disabled UM4 and her crew. Injured crew were given medical attention aboard MRRV 4409. To complete the RoRe mission, BRP SIERRA MADRE deployed RHIBs to UM4 to ferry personnel to be rotated in. CCG personnel were spotted attempting to continue attempts at obstructing and impeding the RoRe by placing a floating barrier at the northwestern entrance of the lagoon of Ayungin Shoal. Despite these repeated attempts by the CCG and CMM, the RoRe was accomplished on or about 11:59 AM with the RoRe contingent leaving the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal on or about 12:09 AM. PCG vessels are currently underway, with UM4 in tow, back to port. The People’s Republic of China’s (PRC’s) latest acts of unprovoked aggression, coercion, and dangerous maneuvers against a legitimate and routine Philippine RoRe mission to Ayungin Shoal, have once again placed at risk, caused severe damage to property, and caused physical harm to Filipinos on board UM4. The systematic and consistent manner in which the PRC continues to carry out these illegal and irresponsible actions belies its hollow claims to peace, dialogue, and adherence to international law. The National Security Adviser and Chairperson of the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) has requested the convening of a meeting on Monday with the Executive Secretary and the National Security Cluster for purposes of making recommendations to the President. The actions of the agents of the PRC today in the waters of the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) show to the Filipino people, the region, and the world that the PRC recognizes no reasonable or legal restraint nor limitation upon its actions under international law. The Philippines shall continue to act peacefully and responsibly, consistent with international law, particularly UNCLOS and the legally binding 2016 Arbitral Award. Peace and stability cannot be achieved without due regard for the legitimate, well-established, and legally settled rights of others. The Philippines will not be deterred - by veiled threats or hostility - from exercising our legal rights over our maritime zones, including Ayungin Shoal which forms part of our EEZ and continental shelf. We demand that China demonstrate in deeds and not in words that it is a responsible and trustworthy member of the international community. ######