China blocking resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal ‘objectionable’

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo questioned why China would block a resupply mission. (File Photo: Office of the Presidential Spokesperson/Facebook)

MANILA — Malacañang on Monday said a Chinese Coast Guard ship having blocked the path of three Philippine civilian vessels on a resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea is “objectionable” and the Department of Foreign Affairs is already preparing to file a protest against this action.

A document from the Department of National Defense (DND) showed the incident happened last May 14, almost a month before the June 9 Recto Bank (Reed Bank) incident where a Chinese vessel rammed into and sank a Filipino fishing boat and abandoned the fishermen at sea.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo questioned why China would block a resupply mission.

“Siyempre objectionable iyon, kung…Magdadala lang pala ng pagkain, bakit mo naman iba-block (Of course that’s objectionable but if they’re only bringing food, why would you block)?” Panelo said in a Palace briefing.

Panelo, however, said there is a need to find out China’s reason for blocking the resupply mission.

The Palace official said Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro “Teddyboy” Locsin Jr. is already preparing a protest against China’s action.

“We will leave that to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, turf niya na iyon (that’s his turf),” Panelo said.

To date, the Philippines has filed several diplomatic protests on the continued presence of Chinese vessels in Philippine waters.