China Coast Guard acts vs PH troops 'probably a misunderstanding': National Maritime Council

 The Chinese Coast Guard's actions against Philippine troops in the Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea last Monday are not seen by the Philippine National Maritime Council as an armed attack; instead, they are described as "probably a misunderstanding or an accident."

No. You realise that this was most likely a miscommunication or an accident. This is not yet close enough to be considered an armed attack. At a hurriedly convened press conference in Malacanang on Friday evening, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin—also the Chair of the National Maritime Council—stated, "I don't know kung 'yung mga nakita namin is bolo, axe, nothing beyond that."

In response to the China Coast Guard's "coercive, aggressive, and barbaric actions" during the "hijacked" rotation and reprovisioning (RORE) mission at the BRP Sierra Madre, which resulted in damage and the serious injury of a Navy officer who lost his right thumb, Bersamin made his statement.

The Chinese Coast Guard members were shown in photos and videos of the altercation provided by the AFP "brandishing bladed and pointed weapons threatening to injure AFP troops" and "threatening to injure an AFP soldier with a pickaxe."


at view of the recent events, the National Maritime Council met on Friday at Malacanang to provide recommendations for policy to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The "announcement of RORE mission to the BRP Sierra Madre" is one of these, according to Bersamin.Ayungin Shoal, which will continue to follow a regular schedule.