Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 14) — A Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) official on Tuesday rejected the suggestion to air drop supplies during missions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
“I think this is the right opportunity for us to show to the international community that the Philippine government is really pushing the bullying behavior of China despite of our limited assets, despite of the smaller coast guard vessels that we have been deploying,” PCG spokesperson for the WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela told CNN Philippines’ The Source.
Cagayan de Oro 2nd dist. Rep. Rufus Rodriguez on Nov. 11 said authorities should consider delivering supplies via airdrop in a bid to stop exposing civilian boats to danger during resupply missions to military outpost BRP Sierra Madre on Ayungin Shoal in the WPS.
On Nov. 10, the National Task Force-West Philippine Sea said a new diplomatic protest was filed against Beijing after the China Coast Guard fired water cannon on a Philippine vessel to block a resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre.
Tarriela said the use of water assets will ensure that the Philippines is able to defend its sovereign rights without escalating tensions in the disputed waters.
“If we’re going to use air drops it is like we’re going to do that because that’s what China wants,” he added.
