by Francisco Tuyay - Javier Joe Ismael - Bernadette E. Tamayo - Agence France-Presse
Jun 21, 2024 12:18 am
THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will not be baited by China into firing the first shot that will trigger open hostilities in the West Philippine Sea, despite increasingly aggressive action by the Chinese coast guard in blocking resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal.
Navy Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad, spokesman for the West Philippine Sea, said on Thursday China is trying to push the AFP into responding with force.
This frame grab from handout video taken on June 17, 2024 and released by the Armed Forces of the Philippines Public Affairs Office on June 19 shows China coast guard personnel appearing to wield bladed weapons during an incident off Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. The Philippine military said on June 19 the Chinese coast guard rammed and boarded Filipino navy boats in a violent confrontation in the South China Sea this week in which a Filipino sailor lost a thumb. China defended its actions, with its foreign ministry saying on Wednesday that no direct measures were taken against Filipino personnel. Handout / ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES-PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE / AFP
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