Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 8) — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG ) on Tuesday said the country still has other bigger vessels it can use during resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal following the water cannon incident that could have put the lives of Filipinos at risk.
Speaking to CNN Philippines’ The Source, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said the government has an option to deploy additional and larger ships during resupply missions, especially after a water cannon was used by the China Coast Guard (CCG) on Philippine vessels during the weekend.
“We’re still going to clear this to the National Task Force West Philippine Sea if there is a need for us to increase the number of the coast guard vessels to support the resupply mission,” he noted.
On Aug. 5, Chinese vessels fired water cannon against Philippine vessels that were supposed to bring food, water and other supplies to military troops based in BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal.
READ: PH summons Chinese ambassador, files diplomatic protest after incident near Ayungin Shoal
The PCG then deployed 44-meter vessels BRP Malabrigo and BRP Cabra, which were no match to China’s bigger ships.
Tarriela said the PCG’s bigger ships include 97-meter BRP Melchora Aquino and BRP Teresa Magbanua, as well as 83-meter BRP Gabriela Silang.
