Other countries might join Phl maritime activities in WPS after Ayungin collision—DND

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. believed that the recent collision incidents, involving the China Coast Guard and the Philippine resupply boats in Ayungin shoal, would attract more countries that have an interest in freedom of navigation in partnering with the Philippines in conducting maritime activities in the West Philippine Sea.  

"I believe it will invite more countries who have an interest in freedom of navigation to participate not only in joint sails but in other security engagements with the Philippines," Teodoro said in an interview with the state-run Radyo Pilipinas on Wednesday. 

Teodoro said the Philippines' engagements with other countries may include capability upgrades, intelligence exchanges, and other defense military-to-military and defense-to-defense cooperation agreements.

"To include defense industries in the country," he added. 

Teodoro noted that the Philippine government is considering and calibrating many options to address China's increasing aggression in the WPS. 

In a separate interview, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. confirmed the possibility that the Philippines would conduct maritime activities with other countries. 

"That's a possibility. Tinitignan natin lahat ng mga (We are looking at all) options," Brawner said, when asked about the chances that other nations may join the Philippines in its rotation and re-provisioning mission to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin shoal.  

The military chief added that these chances also include the use of a Navy ship during the Rore mission since the BRP Sierra Madre is also a naval vessel. 

But they are still studying which country could possibly join the resupply mission. 

The AFP is currently contracting private boats for its re-provisioning mission to the troops stationed in the grounded Philippine Navy warship in Ayungin Shoal.

Last 22 October, a CCG vessel collided with the AFP-chartered resupply ship, Unaiza May 2, after the former attempted to block the latter's path en route to BRP Sierra Madre at about 10.5 nautical miles from Ayungin Shoal. 

A separate collision occurred between BRP Cabra and a Chinese Maritime Militia vessel at about 6.4 nautical miles from Ayungin Shoal on the same day.

After the incident, the Philippines and China accused each other of increasing tension in the WPS. 

Both the United States and Canada condemned China for its "dangerous maneuvers" against the Philippine ships in the waters off Ayungin shoal.