NSC declines Christmas visits to Ayungin

MANILA, Philippines — Citing security risks, the National Security Council (NSC) is declining requests to conduct civilian Christmas caravan visits or missions to Philippine Navy troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.

Those wanting to send gifts to soldiers manning the grounded warship are instead encouraged to have the military or its supply boats deliver such goods which are very much welcome and appreciated.

NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya confirmed that a group is indeed seeking support for a Christmas convoy civilian supply mission to the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

“But when we talked about this in the National Security Council we had some doubts because we all know that Ayungin Shoal is a hotspot where tension is high, with incidents of laser pointing, water cannon, collisions and dangerous maneuvers,” he explained.

“So we are saddened that when it comes to Ayungin Shoal, we can’t support it. We highly discourage these groups from conducting their Christmas convoy civilian mission because of security concerns,” Malaya said at yesterday’s Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public briefing.

He noted that since the intentions are good, those wanting to send gifts to troops stationed at BRP Sierra Madre and bring holiday cheer to Filipino soldiers there may have their goods brought to the NSC, Philippine navy or Western Command in Palawan and those supplies will be sent through regular rotation and resupply missions.

Malaya said there are also other areas or locations in the WPS occupied by the Philippines that civilians can choose from where there is less tension or security risks.

He cited nine other occupied features where soldiers are lonely during Christmas, and the gifts of any intended convoy can be brought to islands such as Lawak and Pag-asa.