AFP: PH has the right to repair, maintain BRP Sierra Madre

FILE: A China Coast Guard (foreground) vessel off Second Thomas Shoal, where BRP Sierra Madre (background) was grounded. (Photo By Philippine Coast Guard/Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain)

MANILA – The Philippines has the right to repair and develop the BRP Sierra Madre (LST-57), the ship deployed to the Ayungin Shoal, if needed.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar made this remark Thursday in response to Chinese claims that Filipino supply ships were carrying construction supplies to upgrade or repair the Philippine Navy ship.

This reportedly prompted the Chinese Coast Guard and Chinese maritime militia vessels to conduct maneuvers aimed at preventing the Philippines’ resupply mission on Aug. 5

He also maintained that the Filipino supply boats were only carrying water, food and other supplies during their rotation and resupply (RORE) mission.

“Nung panahon po na nagkakaroon tayo ng RORE maliwanag na ang laman po ay tubig, pagkain at mga supply na kailangan ng ating mga sundalo para meron silang pagkain habang sila ay nandun sa BRP Sierra Madre (at the time of our RORE mission, it was pretty clea that water, food and other supplies were being carried for our soldiers while they are deployed aboard BRP Sierra Madre),” Aguilar said.

“Ngayon po kung sakali man na i-develop natin o ayusin natin ang BRP Sierra Madre dahil ito po ay luma na, kinakalawang na, itoy ay karapatan natin, ang BRP Sierra Madre ay isang commissioned vessel, isang active na vessel at ito’y obligasyon ng Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas na ito ay i-repair at saka i-maintain, walang sinuman ang dapat na makialam kung ito ay gagawin natin (Now, if there is a need to develop or repair BRP Sierra Madre because it now old and rusty, it is well within our rights because the BRP Sierra Madre is still a commissioned ship, an active vessel, and it is the obligation of the AFP to repair and maintain it. No one should interfere with this should we decide to do it),” he added.

He also maintained that the AFP is committed to resupplying military personnel manning the BRP Sierra Madre and other features in the West Philippine Sea.

On Wednesday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. also said there is no existing agreement between the Philippines and China to remove BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal.

The Chief Executive’s remarks came after Beijing earlier claimed that Manila had “repeatedly promised to tow away” the grounded warship from the Ayungin Shoal, a feature within the Kalayaan Island Group less than 200 nautical miles off Palawan.

“I’m not aware of any such arrangement or agreement that the Philippines will remove from its own territory its ship, in this case, the BRP Sierra Madre from the Ayungin Shoal,” Marcos said in a video message released by the Presidential Communications Office.

Marcos added that he is repealing any commitment, should there be an existing agreement between the Philippines and China on the supposed removal of the BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal.

The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) earlier condemned Chinese attempts to block the country’s efforts to resupply its troops stationed in Ayungin Shoal.

National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya, meanwhile, said they are puzzled by such claims from China.

He added that if Beijing will continue to assert this claim, it should identify the person or persons who promised them such.