PCG: China’s calmer response to PH latest resupply mission only for ‘optics’ 

CONFLICT AT SEA Commodore Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, speaks during the press briefing of the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea at the Department of Foreign Affairs office in this file photo taken on August 7, 2023. — INQUIRER file photo / RICHARD A. REYES

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Wednesday said China is now concerned about the “optics” of its actions, which is why it has shown a less aggressive response in the latest resupply mission for BRP Sierra Madre.

Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, made the remark as he noted that the China Coast Guard (CCG) deployed fewer and smaller vessels against Philippine vessels on the latest resupply task, unlike the previous mission when they even used water cannon against the country’s boats and ships.

“I think this has something to do with optics — they want to show the world na kunwari (that it may seem) they are not really that aggressive in preventing our resupply operations,” Tarriela said in a public briefing.

The official attributed this to PCG’s “approach of being transparent and publicizing the aggressive behavior of China on the previous resupply.”

“This perhaps is the main reason why the Chinese government is no longer allowing the China Coast Guard to use water cannon,” he stressed.

Tarriela noted that during the resupply mission on Tuesday, China only deployed two CCG vessels which are smaller than PCG vessels.

READ: Despite China’s attempt to ‘interfere,’ PCG says resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre successful

This is unlike the previous resupply mission last August 5, when CCG deployed six big vessels, one of which even used water cannon against PCG boats supplying the commissioned ship.

Nevertheless, Tarriela noted that the CCG still conducted dangerous maneuvers on Tuesday to prevent the PCG from bringing supplies to BRP Sierra Madre.

“I’m going to repeat it, the resupply operation that we had yesterday was not a walk in the park; we still experienced dangerous maneuvers. They still attempted to block our resupply operation,” Tarriela said.

Since 1999, the BRP Sierra Madre has hosted a small contingent of military personnel in Ayungin Shoal, a low-tide elevation about 194 kilometers off Palawan province that is well within the country’s exclusive economic zone.

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