(UPDATE) SENATORS on Monday condemned the China Coast Guard (CCG) for allegedly seizing and dumping food and medical supplies meant for Filipino troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

China, on the other hand, said two people on the deck of the BRP Sierra Madre were armed and pointing their guns and hands in the direction of a CCG ship.

Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara said the CCG's action "endangered the lives of our Filipino troops stationed at the Ayungin Shoal and could be deemed as a violation of their human rights."

Sen. Bong Revilla described China's latest harassment of Filipino troops as "inhumane."

Sen. Nancy Binay said the "obstruction of medical aid to our personnel is an affront to these international norms and human dignity."

The BRP Sierra Madre is a commissioned Philippine naval vessel permanently stationed in Ayungin Shoal to serve as a "constant Philippine government presence in the area," the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said. This was in response to China's "illegal occupation" in 1995 of Panganiban (Mischief) Reef.

"We call on the executive to pursue all remedies available to the country in ensuring the safety and welfare of all Filipino citizens," Angara said in a statement on Monday.

He said the government "should call on China to exercise restraint and not to impede regular and non-hostile activities involving Philippine personnel, including resupply and medical missions necessary for their health and well-being."

The Philippines "has not engaged in any action to provoke such a response from the Chinese Coast Guard and has always maintained that any dispute between parties must be resolved through diplomatic and lawful means," Angara said.

"Be it in times of war or in peace, it is imperative that all nations uphold the principles of empathy, compassion, and respect for human life as enshrined in the Geneva Convention," Binay said.

"Personally, I express my deep concern and condemnation over the recent actions by the Chinese coast guard in Ayungin Shoal," she said.

"We are ready to elevate this matter to high-level international forums, including the United Nations, to achieve justice and ensure the protection of our citizens," Binay said.

"We will continue to stand firm in our resolve to protect our people and our sovereignty. The safety and well-being of our citizens will always be paramount."

Revilla said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. "has clearly articulated our position in the WPS in the recently concluded 21st IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore."

"We will not cede any inch of our territory and territorial rights, and we are taking notice of the bullying and provocations against our countrymen and our nation," he said.

"International law and comity between states must prevail, and all contrary actions by any state party should stop," Revilla said.

The Akbayan Party also slammed CCG's seizure of food and medical supplies for Filipino troops stationed on the BRP Sierra Madre.

Unconfirmed reports quoting an anonymous source in the Philippine Coast Guard said the CCG had seized and dumped the food and medical supplies on May 19. It was unclear why the incident was reported only two weeks later.

"Since when did a supposed 'sovereign state' resort to stealing food?" said Rafaela David, Akbayan president.

She said China's antics "are straight out of a pirate's playbook, not the conduct of a reputable nation. Their behavior reeks of piracy, not diplomacy."

"By plundering food supplies meant for our brave frontliners and blocking medical aid, China reveals its disdain for human rights and dignity. This isn't about peace; it's about power and dominance," David said in a statement.

Akbayan has urged the Department of Foreign Affairs to lodge a diplomatic protest against the CCG's action, recall Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian and "demand an official apology" from China.

It also asked the government to "forge stronger alliances" with regional and international allies, partners and stakeholders to thwart Chinese aggression and safeguard navigation rights and maritime safety in the West Philippine Sea.

"In light of China's recent appalling acts of aggression, it is imperative that the Philippine government leverages its diplomatic strengths to vigorously denounce these blatant violations, rallying support from the international community to hold China accountable for its brazen disregard of international norms and principles," David said.

Global Times, an English-language newspaper owned by the China Communist Party, had a different account of the May 19 incident, saying it transpired during an airdrop mission conducted by the Philippines to supply Filipino troops stationed at the grounded warship.

A video was also released by state broadcaster CCTV that shows Philippine planes dropping supplies to Filipino troops stationed on Sierra Madre, two of whom were allegedly pointing rifles at a CCG vessel.

The claims were made as the Philippines accused the CCG of seizing and dumping overboard the supplies that were airdropped for the Filipino troops at Sierra Madre.

The CCG also allegedly obstructed a medical evacuation of ailing Filipino soldiers.

China has countered the accusations by describing its actions as a "lawful and justified response."

Ayungin, which China calls Ren'ai Jiao, falls within the Philippine exclusive economic zone.

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