Trillanes opposes removal of BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal: ‘Heroic’ grounding of ship shows PH can stand up to China

Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV is opposed to the removal of a Philippine ship anchored on the Ayungin Shoal as demanded by China.

In a recent Facebook post, Trillanes said the country demonstrated it could stand up to China when BRP Sierra Madre was intentionally beached on the shoal back in 1999. The grounding of the naval vessel was a “patriotic and heroic act” against China’s incursions in the South China Sea, according to the former Navy officer.

Ever the local warship was marooned to assert the country’s territorial claims, the military has been rotating a small group of soldiers to occupy and report on the shoal. The Ayungin Shoal is located within the Philippines exclusive economic zone (EEZ) over which the country has sovereign rights

“The PH Navy deliberately ran BRP Sierra Madre aground in Ayungin Shoal in 1999. That patriotic and heroic act was in response to China’s occupation of Mischief Reef in 1995,” Trillanes said on Facebook.

“It showed that PH can stand up to China without going to war,” he said.

Recently, the Philippines denounced Chinese coast guards for blocking and firing water cannons at two supply boats en route to Ayungin Shoal. The local boats were supposed to send supplies to the marine detachment at the naval outpost.

China later issued a statement asking the Philippines to keep its commitment to remove the Sierra Madre ship. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana denied such commitment was made, saying the country’s ship will stay in the area.

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Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)