China undermining national resolve — AFP

China is trying to weaken the Filipinos’ resolve and continue its illegal presence in the WPS, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS), Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, said on Wednesday.

“Their coercive and aggressive actions, their illegal presence — all of these are designed to weaken our national resolve to continue fighting for what we stand for,” Trinidad told the Defense Press Corps in a virtual interview.

Trinidad was referring to the latest harassment by Chinese vessels during the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) rotation and resupply (RoRe) mission for the BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal on 24 September, which he described as deliberate and coercive.

“The actions of the Chinese Communist Party are intended to make any claimant, any adversary, give up their legitimate stand. That is what they are doing to us. In the diplomatic space, there is charm diplomacy, but at the same time, they attack us. Our Secretary of National Defense is attacked, and other government spokespersons are attacked.

“In the political dimension, although there is charm diplomacy, we have infiltration in the political system. In the information space, foreign malign influence interferes in local issues. In the maritime domain, it is the same,” Trinidad explained.

“We are not claiming anything that is not ours. We are only standing up for what is rightfully and legally ours. By attacking our capability to resupply our troops, to rotate our men and by attacking our communication systems, they are weakening our resolve so that we will give up without a fight — so that we would abandon the BRP Sierra Madre.

“That will never happen,” Trinidad added.

RoRe missions to continue

Despite the recent harassment, Trinidad said RoRe missions would continue, adding that the Western Command commander’s decision to reschedule the latest mission was an operational judgment aimed at preventing further escalation.

“The scheduling is at their disposal. It is an operational matter, so we fully leave it up to them. The crew aboard the BRP Sierra Madre have sufficient supplies, and their morale remains high. Even if they cannot return home immediately, they are accustomed to it,” Trinidad said.

During the 24 September incident, the M/V Lapu-Lapu, which was conducting the RoRe mission, had approached within about 15 nautical miles of the BRP Sierra Madre when it encountered China Coast Guard and People’s Liberation Army Navy vessels. The Chinese vessels also moved to within less than one nautical mile of the Philippine vessel while sending threatening messages.

“If you notice, there are different attempts to destroy our national resolve to keep fighting for what is legally and rightfully ours. The attacks come across different dimensions of national power,” Trinidad said.