AFP denies BRP Sierra Madre troops pointed guns at China Coast Guard

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<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:900px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1717467465491dilapidated-Sierra-Madre-ship.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">This aerial photograph taken from a military aircraft shows the dilapidated Sierra Madre ship of the Philippine Navy anchored near Ayungin shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) with Philippine soldiers on-board to secure the perimeter in the Spratly group of islands in the South China Sea, west of Palawan, on May 11, 2015. The Spratlys are considered a potential Asian flashpoint, and claimant nations including the Philippines have expressed alarm as China has embarked on massive reclamation activity. <em id="isPasted">Ritchie B. Tongo, Pool/AFP</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday denied accusations that Filipino troops stationed at the BRP Siera Madre in Ayungin Shoal pointed guns at personnel from the China Coast Guard (CCG).</p><p>Chinese media has claimed that at least 2 crew from the BRP Sierra Madre, which serves as the Philippines&#x27; military post in Ayungin Shoal, recently pointed guns at CCG personnel.</p><p>The AFP in a statement denied the claims, saying &quot;[f]oreign vessels that venture dangerously close to our military vessel and in violation of safe distance protocols necessitate heightened vigilance and alertness from our personnel.&quot;</p><p>&quot;Hence, our troops were seen on guard because of the CCGs provocative presence near BRP Sierra Madre,&quot; the military said.</p><p>AFP personnel follow the Rules of Engagement and act with the &quot;highest level of professionalism, restraint, and discipline&quot; when safeguarding the country&#x27;s sovereign rights, it added.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/20/23/brp-sierra-madre-deteriorating-fast-says-dnd-official">BRP Sierra Madre deteriorating fast, says DND official</a></div><p>The AFP also said it was committed to upholding peace and stability in the region, adding &quot;Any aggressive actions that threaten this peace and the safety of our troops and stations will be met with the necessary and appropriate measures.&quot;</p><p>&quot;The AFP remains resolute in its duty to defend our nation and its people against any threats,&quot; it said.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/08/07/23/why-is-a-rusty-philippine-warship-involved-in-the-south-china-sea-dispute">Why is a rusty Philippine warship involved in the South China Sea dispute?</a></div><p>The BRP Sierra Madre, a rusting World War 2 ship deliberately grounded by the Philippines on the shoal in 1999 to assert its stake in the area, has become a major flashpoint in the West Philippine Sea conflict.</p><p>Beijing has previously employed &quot;dangerous maneuvers&quot; — such as the use of water cannon — against Manila&#x27;s vessels near Ayungin Shoal, especially during resupply missions for troops stationed there.</p><p>Also recently, China has reportedly seized relief supplies air dropped to a Philippine Navy outpost in the Ayungin Shoal.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/6/3/lawmakers-slam-china-coast-guard-for-seizing-ayungin-shoal-supplies-2140" id="isPasted">READ: Lawmakers slam China Coast Guard for seizing Ayungin Shoal supplies</a> <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/6/3/chinese-ships-in-blockade-position-at-ayungin-escoda-1601" id="isPasted"></a><br/><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/6/3/chinese-ships-in-blockade-position-at-ayungin-escoda-1601">READ: Chinese ships in ‘blockade position’ at Ayungin, Escoda</a></div><p>The 2 countries have a long history of maritime territorial disputes in the South China Sea and there have been repeated confrontations between their vessels near disputed reefs in recent months.<span><br/></span></p><p>China claims almost the entire South China Sea, brushing off rival claims from other countries, including the Philippines, as well as an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/4/4/ph-vows-to-maintain-brp-sierra-madre-in-ayungin-shoal-security-official-1349" id="isPasted">READ: Philippines vows to maintain BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal: official</a></div><div><span></span><strong>—with a report from Agence France-Presse</strong></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AhI2YcWTnGg?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Tuesday denied accusations that Filipino troops stationed at the BRP Siera Madre in Ayungin Shoal pointed guns at personnel from the China Coast Guard.</p>

The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Tuesday denied accusations that Filipino troops stationed at the BRP Siera Madre in Ayungin Shoal pointed guns at personnel from the China Coast Guard.

AFP denies BRP Sierra Madre troops pointed guns at China Coast Guard | ABS-CBN

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AFP denies BRP Sierra Madre troops pointed guns at China Coast Guard

AFP denies BRP Sierra Madre troops pointed guns at China Coast Guard

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Published Jun 04, 2024 10:19 AM PHT

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Updated Jun 04, 2024 10:57 AM PHT

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