This image released by the Armed Forces of the Philippines shows a Chinese militia vessel, top, near Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Cabra as they approach Second Thomas Shoal, locally called Ayungin Shoal, at the disputed South China Sea on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023. (Armed Forces of the Philippines via AP)
MANILA, Philippines— China is obscuring the truth behind the collision of Philippine and Chinese vessels off Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea last Sunday, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said on Monday.
According to Teodoro, Chinese vessels hit two Philippine boats on a resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre.
While China had claimed that the Philippine vessels were trespassing, Teodoro said they were twisting the narrative.
“We called for this press conference to give you a clear and factual narrative of what transpired. The Chinese government is deliberately obfuscating the truth. The Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard are here to give you an undistorted narration of the illegal act of the Chinese vessels,” said Teodoro in a Palace briefing.
Teodoro stood by the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ earlier account of Chinese vessels’ dangerous maneuvers, which later hit the Unaiza May 2 and the BRP Cabra in the West Philippine Sea.
Teodoro disputed China’s statement that it was Philippine vessels trespassing within its territories, reiterating that the Philippines was within its right to conduct resupply missions.
“While conducting legitimate rotation and resupply operations within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Philippines, Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels in blatant violation of international law harassed and intentionally hit Unaiza May 2 and Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Cabra. This occurred in the 200-mile-exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, which China has no jurisdiction, authority, or right to conduct any operations whatsoever,” said Teodoro.