US stresses Philippines right to resupply grounded ship

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has the “right to be able to supply/resupply” its ship in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal and has not asked for assistance after China’s attack on its vessels on a resupply mission, the US Department of Defense said yesterday.

“We stand with our Philippine allies in terms of their right to be able to supply/resupply the ship on the Second Thomas Shoal, and that will continue to be our position,” Pentagon press secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said at a press briefing.

The US highlighted China’s dangerous actions after the China Coast Guard (CCG) blocked and fired water cannons on a Philippine resupply mission near Ayungin Shoal on Saturday. The US said the act directly threatened regional peace and stability.

The boats were delivering food, water, fuel and other supplies to Philippine military troops stationed on BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.

“I don’t have anything to announce right now in terms of sending any type of additional assistance. To my knowledge, the Philippines has not asked for additional assistance,” Ryder added.

The US reaffirmed that an armed attack on Philippine public vessels, aircraft and armed forces, including those of its Coast Guard, in the South China Sea would invoke US mutual defense commitments under Article IV of the 1951 US Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty.

On Monday, the Philippines lodged a diplomatic protest over China’s latest attack on Philippine vessels. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) summoned Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian and presented the Philippines’ strongly worded diplomatic protest on the blocking and water cannon operations by the CCG and Chinese maritime militia vessels against Philippine boats.

The Philippines demanded that China immediately stop its illegal activities in the country’s maritime zones.

During a joint press conference, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) showed videos and photographs of six CCG ships and two Chinese militia vessels blocking two Philippine boats on a routine supply mission, dangerous maneuvers and aggressive use of water cannon against the boats.

The Philippines has filed 445 diplomatic protests since 2020 over China’s illegal activities in the West Philippine Sea. In 2023, 35 diplomatic protests were filed, including the note verbale given during the summoning of the Chinese envoy.

Japan ODA

Japan has provided more than P12 billion in funding to the Philippines to support its emergency response to victims of natural calamities and finance the purchase of new maritime equipment.

Japan is allocating 30 billion yen, or P11.79 billion, for the Post-Disaster Standby Loan (PDSL) Phase 3 that seeks to bankroll recovery measures in disaster aftermath.

As with previous tranches of the PDSL, the Philippines can tap the financing anytime it requires additional capital for response and relief efforts. The loan is slapped with an interest rate of 0.01 percent per annum and should be repaid within a period of 30 years.

“With Typhoon Egay attacking the Philippines just last month, it is evident that our countries are frequently exposed to natural disasters, including typhoons, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions,” Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko said.

Japan is also giving a grant of 1.1 billion yen, or P432.14 million, for the Satellite Data Communication System of the PCG to improve monitoring of the West Philippine Sea.

Koshikawa yesterday signed the notes for PDSL 3 and the Satellite Data Communication System and turned over the documents to Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo.

Tokyo serves as the largest ODA source for Manila, with loans ranging from economic support to military assistance.