DUE to incidents of bullying and harassment by Chinese Coast Guard in the resupply mission of our Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) for the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, Sen. Raffy Tulfo communicated over the phone with Ambassador of the Philippines to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez, Department of National Defense (DND) Sec. Gibo Teodoro and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner last Aug. 24.

In his conversation with Romualdez, Tulfo reiterated his recommendation for the US Navy and the PCG to conduct a joint military operation in the resupply mission for the members of our military deployed in Ayungin Shoal.

Tulfo explained that the joint patrol mission is currently being done by other countries, such as Malaysia and Indonesia, which are joined by the US Navy and the Australian Navy in patrolling.

Romualdez agreed with Tulfo’s recommendation, stressing that he saw no problem with it.

Romualdez added that the military only needs to contact the DND.

It can be recalled that Tulfo first suggested to the DND, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and military the idea of a joint US Navy and PCG resupply mission last Aug. 16, during the public hearing of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Sen. Tulfo next contacted Teodoro, who confirmed that the Philippine Navy and US Navy will have joint sail operations in the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

With regards to the resupply mission, Teodoro said he had no objection as long as it will be recommended by Brawner.

In talking to Brawner, Tulfo shared that the latter confirmed the statements from Romualdez and Teodoro. Brawner likewise said that the joint operations of the PCG and the US in the resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal is already underway.

In fact, Brawner said that they have already talked with Admiral John Aquilino, Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, for its implementation that will start in the middle of September or first week of October.

“Tapos na ang maliligayang araw ng pambubully at pangha-harass ng Chinese Coast Guard sa Philippine Coast Guard sa West Philippine Sea,” Tulfo said.

Meanwhile, Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa questioned China’s recent claims it has allowed the recent successful resupply mission of the Philippines to BRP Sierra Madre due to “humanitarian consideration.”

Dela Rosa was asked whether or not the Philippines needs China’s go-signal with regards to exercising its sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea.

“Sino sila? Sino sila para mag-a-approve kung anong dadalhin natin doon para sa ating outpost, para sa ating mga sundalo doon sa outpost?

Bakit nila tayo pigilan kung anong gusto nating dalhin? Halata talaga na iyong kanilang pagpipili kung ano lang ang pwedeng madala doon is advancement of their own position.

Gusto nila talaga na masira iyong barko nating Sierra Madre para ‘pag masira na ‘yan, magiba, wala na tayong matitirahan at sila na ang papalit sa atin, aagawin na nila ‘yan,” Dela Rosa said.

Despite the success of the resupply mission, Philippine Coast Guard – West Philippine Sea Spokesperson Jay Tarriela says the attempt was “not a walk in the park” as China still worked its way to block the mission through its usual aggressive tactics.

In the same month, the Senate had just collectively denounced China’s continued harassment in the disputed seas with its coast guards water-cannoning a Philippine vessel carrying food and other supplies for the soldiers stationed at BRP Sierra Madre.

The issue was raised last week during the Committee on Finance briefing with the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) on the Proposed 2024 National Expenditure Program where Dela Rosa appealed to the government’s economic managers to consider increasing the budget of the Defense sector.

This was after the economic team presented the budget they allocated per sector with 37.9% for social services, 29.6% for economic services, 12.1% for debt burden, 15.5% for general public services, and only 4.9% for defense.