National Security Council Assistant Secretary General Jonathan Malaya. FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Upon President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive, the government will make “certain adjustments” to the Philippine Navy and Coast Guard’s conduct of resupply missions following China’s latest water cannon attack on April 30, according to National Security Council (NSC) Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya.
Although he opted not to disclose more details, Malaya said this adjustment will help them keep the troops at the BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippines Sea (WPS) “in working condition.”
“Since the last resupply mission to Ayungin, the President has directed for certain adjustments which I cannot disclose for national security reasons, but we are going to make certain adjustments to our resupply mission,” Malaya disclosed during an interview with ANC on Tuesday.
“There is an operational mix that is available to us; we can do other types of resupply other than the naval resupply; we can do an airdrop, we can do other [methods] just to be able to resupply our troops and keep BRP sierra madre in working condition,” he added.
Malaya likewise noted that the adjustments are in place so they will “no longer be placed in a difficult position,” as he claimed that China’s objective is to “intimidate” and “ utilize scare tactics” against the Philippines.
Last April 30, the China Coast Guard (CCG) once again used water cannons against two Philippine vessels conducting a mission in the Scarborough Shoal.
According to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the CCG used “very fatal” water cannon pressure in the latest attack, which marked China’s increased aggression against Filipino vessels in the WPS.
Despite sustaining damage, PCG said the vessels stood firm and continued their patrol.