MANILA, Philippines — The morale of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel remains high despite China’s water cannon attack over the weekend.
“We are always prepared for all eventualities, and therefore, the morale remains high,” AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar said in a press conference.
An aerial photo from a diplomatic source shows a China Coast Guard vessel shooting a powerful stream of water at a boat operated by the Philippine Navy.
Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the WPS, also said: “For the Philippine Coast Guard Crew … their morale remains high.”“You still have the commitment of the Philippine Coast Guard, that despite the danger, despite the dangerous maneuver that China could always do every time there is a supply mission in Ayungin, the Philippine Coast Guard will carry out the mission and support the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Tarriela added.
In a statement on Saturday, PCG said a China Coast Guard vessel fired a water cannon at a PCG vessel escorting boats delivering food, water, fuel, and other supplies to military troops stationed on BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on Saturday.