MANILA, Philippines — Armed Forces of the Philippines Spokesperson (AFP) Col. Medel Aguilar on Saturday labeled the China Coast Guard (CCG) as a “misplaced bully” in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
He made this remark following the recent intimidation of the CCG and Chinese Maritime Militia against Philippine vessels that were on a resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre on Friday, September 8.
During the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, it was raised that China claimed that it blocked the Philippines’ resupply mission from entering the Ayungin Shoal because it did not coordinate with them.
The AFP spokesperson then sternly responded that the Philippines does not have to coordinate with China on such matters.
“What we do in our own backyard is none of their concern, so why coordinate with them in the first place?” he said.
“China Coast Guard is a misplaced bully in the West Philippine Sea – in our maritime zone,” Col. Aguilar emphasized.
“I think that’s my answer to that. They have no business interfering in what we are doing in our maritime zone,” he reiterated.
The AFP and the Philippine Coast Guard were still successful in their resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre, a grounded warship situated in Ayungin Shoal since 1999.
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