MOST of the Chinese vessels that took part in last Tuesday's harassment of Philippine ships on a resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal had left, a ranking Philippine Navy officer said Friday.
Western Command Commander Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos said only one China Coast Guard (CCG) and two militia ships remained near Ayungin on Thursday, down from the 26 vessels last Tuesday.
Carlos said not all 26 vessels took part in the dangerous blocking maneuvers and the water cannoning of a supply boat.
One of the Chinese vessels collided with and slightly damaged a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship.
Carlos was among the four Navy personnel aboard the PCG ship who was injured after he was hit by pieces of glass when a high-pressure jet of water fired by a Chinese vessel shattered a glass casing.
Carlos said that the number of Chinese vessels near Ayungin Shoal usually surges whenever a resupply mission is underway.
The Philippines maintains a military station on the derelict Navy ship BPS Sierra Madre, which was deliberately grounded near the shoal.
"But based on our monitoring this morning, most of them have already left. They're back to the number they usually maintain near Ayungin Shoal," said Carlos.
"We've monitored only two militias and one Chinese Coast Guard (vessels).... That's their normal number because the RORE (rotation and reprovisioning) is already over," he said.
Despite the incident, Carlos said the morale of his men remains high.
"The morale of men, it's still very high and their commitment to their (mandate) is unwavering. We will continue doing our operation in the West Philippine Sea, particularly at Ayungin Shoal," he said.
He stressed that "we will follow the instruction of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that the BRP Sierra Madre will stay there and continue to fly the Philippine Flag."
Wescom "will continue with our patrols and our exercise of our sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction. That won't stop, that will continue," said Carlos.
China has been demanding that the Philippines tow away the ship from the shoal, in keeping with what it claimed was an earlier commitment by Philippine authorities.
"That is the guidance so we will comply with that. We will do everything so BRP Sierra Madre will remain at Ayungin Shoal. That is a symbol of our sovereignty in the area," said Carlos.
During his visit to Australia late last month, Marcos reiterated his commitment to not allow any foreign power to take "one square inch" of Philippine territory.
"The challenges that we face may be formidable, but equally formidable is our resolve. We will not yield," he told the Australian parliament.
Manila has accused Beijing of aggressive action inside its exclusive economic zone (EEZ). In 2016, an international arbitration tribunal in The Hague rejected China's claims over almost the entire South China Sea, including the waters covered by the EEZ.
On Thursday, Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine expressed her support for the Philippines against the Chinese harassment of Filipino vessels in the West Philippine Sea.
During a courtesy call on President Marcos Jr. in Malacañang on Thursday, Heine raised concern over China's aggression in the West Philippine Sea and urged the Philippine leader to consider coordinating with the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF).
"This is a concern not only for the seven, but for us in the region as well, who look forward to a secure region," Heine told Marcos.
"We suggest that the Philippines consider contacting Pacific Islands Forum for support. First of all, the team of the Pacific Island countries there are numbers of the forum," she added.
The Philippines considers the PIF as an important platform for enhancing cooperation with the Pacific Island countries.
Heine assured Marcos that she will assist the Philippines in whatever decision it will make as far as the PIF is concerned.
Marcos thanked Heine for supporting the Philippines' stand, saying the country is relying on support from international rulings.
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