AFP demands P60-M from China over damage, losses in Ayungin clash

FILE: CCG personnel were caught on camera brandishing bladed and pointed weapons threatening to injure AFP troops during the humanitarian rotation and resupply mission at BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal on June 17. (Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday said it has demanded PHP60 million from China as payment for the equipment damage and losses incurred from the China Coast Guard’s (CCG) harassment of Manila’s rotation and resupply mission for Filipino troops in the Ayungin Shoal on June 17.

In an interview, AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said he made the demand in a letter forwarded to Department of National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

Teodoro will transmit the letter to the Department of Foreign Affairs, which will then reach out to China.

“Dun sa aking sulat I demand the return of seven firearms, yung pong mga baril na yun ay kinuha ng mga China Coast Guard na naka-box, naka-box kasi yung mga armas na yun kaya’t dinampot na lang nila yung mga pitong riple at sinira nila yung ating mga kagamitan and when we estimated the cost of the damage its PHP60 million (In my letter, I demand the return of our seven firearms, those guns were in box taken by the CCG, these seven rifles were in box that they just took, and they damaged our equipment, and we estimate the cost of all the damage at PHP60 million),” he said.

Aside from the seven rifles, Brawner said two of the Philippines’ rigid-hull inflatable boats involved in the mission were also damaged by the CCG personnel.

He said they are looking to charge China with the cost of the “restructuring of the hand” of Seaman First Class Jeffrey Facundo who lost his right thumb during the melee with CCG members.

He said the medical procedure is needed to restore the function of his right hand that was injured in the incident.