China allowing PH medical evacuation ‘ridiculous’ – NTF-WPS

SURROUNDED. A Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) with the LS-57 RHIB from BRP Sierra Madre surrounded by four Chinese RHIBs during the emergency medical evacuation of a sick Philippine Navy personnel on Sunday (July 7, 2024) in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). The National Task Force for the WPS on Wednesday (July 10, 2024) said China’s claim that it permitted the evacuation was ridiculous after the operation faced harassment, blocking, and delaying maneuvers from Chinese vessels. (Photo by PCG via PNA)

By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – An official of the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) described as “ridiculous” China’s claim that it allowed the recent medical evacuation of a Philippine Navy (PN) personnel stationed at BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.

In a message to reporters on Wednesday, NTS-WPS spokesperson, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commodore Jay Tarriela said last Sunday’s medical evacuation faced “numerous obstructing and delaying maneuvers” by China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels.

“The claim made by the People’s Republic of China that they have permitted a medical evacuation for a sick PN personnel, to present themselves as humanitarian while asserting their authority to allow such operation to be carried out in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), is ridiculous,” Tarriela said.

The harassment resulted in hours of delay and showed China’s “low regard for a humanitarian mission”, he said.

“This statement further confirms their illegal deployment of vessels within our EEZ and highlights their government’s view that the preservation of human life and welfare requires approval,” he said.

On Tuesday, the CCG said it allowed the evacuation of an ill person aboard the grounded BRP Sierra Madre at the request of the Philippines.

On Sunday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the PCG had carried out the emergency medical evacuation through the deployment of BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409), BRP Cape Engaño (MRRV-4411), and a PCG rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB).

The vessels were to rendezvous with RHIB LS-57 in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea to transfer the sick personnel.

Despite the harassment of various small CCG vessels, the transfer was succesful and the PCG RHIB returned to the main PCG vessels without further interruption.

The sick personnel was provided with urgent medical attention and is now stable.