Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 17) – An official from the Department of National Defense (DND) said there is a possible “saboteur” in the country’s recent resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal where China Coast Guard fired water cannon against Philippine vessels earlier this month.
“That is a possibility,\” DND Undersecretary Irineo Espino said at a Senate hearing on Wednesday. \”But of course, we are always thinking that during the loading of supplies, there are already informants in the area… .So nakakakuha na po sila ng inputs doon and information [That’s why they can get inputs and information from the area].”
Espino’s statement was in response to the query of Sen. Risa Hontiveros regarding the possible saboteurs or informants operating in the Philippines to support China’s “illegitimate policy” on the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Hontiveros also referred to the statement of Commodore Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the WPS, who said that the government of China must have advanced information on the Philippines’ resupply mission in WPS.
READ: PH to continue WPS resupply mission despite China’s firing of water cannon, harassment
The DND official also narrated the “blockade” being formed by the Chinese around Ayungin Shoal, citing the presence of about 80 to 200 militia ships and China Coast Guard in the area.
“Even if we escort our vessels, our private vessels supplying the necessary requirements for Ayungin, hindi natin ma-counter yung vessels from China [We can’t counter China vessels],” Espino explained.
Espino also acknowledged retired justice Antonio Carpio’s suggestion for the United States to escort the Philippines in its next resupply mission.
“Normally we escort one Coast Guard and one Navy ship every time we conduct the RORE (rotation and resupply),\” Espino said. \”But the Chinese have at least three main Chinese ships and plenty of coast guards, plus the militia ships presence in the area.\”
READ: AFP chief: China’s use of water cannon on PH boats ‘short of declaring war’
The DND official asked for an executive session after he was asked about the country’s plans for BRP Sierra Madre, which remains grounded in Ayungin Shoal.
China earlier urged the Philippines to remove the vessel away, claiming the country promised to remove the Navy ship.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., however, stood firm that BRP Sierra Madre will stay in Ayungin Shoal.
