Marcos Jr. calls Ayungin medvac incident ‘distressing’, indicates ‘new phase’ in WPS escalation

SINGAPORE – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. described the recent incident in Ayungin Shoal during a medical evacuation as “unfortunate,” lamenting what he called a “new phase of escalation” in the West Philippine Sea amid growing demands from China.

The Philippine Coast Guard earlier reported that a China Coast Guard vessel made dangerous maneuvers near BRP Cabra and activated its water cannon while PCG personnel were conducting an emergency medical evacuation of a Philippine Navy sailor stationed aboard the BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal.

“Unfortunately, there really is an escalation. Kasi dati walang problema ‘yan. But somehow now, there are more stated requirements for permission,” Marcos told reporters during a press briefing on the final day of his five-day working visit to Singapore on Sunday, October 11.

“This was particularly distressing because, you know, medevac lang naman ‘yan eh. May sakit nga ‘yung tao. Bakit naman tayo, ba’t tayo naman pipigilan para gamutin ‘yung tao natin na may sakit? Kahit giyera, ‘yung Red Cross pinapadaan eh. Tayo, hindi tayo pinapadaan para sunduin ‘yung may sakit,” he stated.

The recent incident will form part of the upcoming discussions on the long-awaited Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, according to Marcos.

“It is unfortunate that this happened and it seems to indicate a new phase in escalation in the actions that are being undertaken in the West Philippine Sea,” the President said, as he commended the service of Filipino troops stationed at Ayungin.

Marcos maintained that the Philippines does not seek permission from China when conducting rotation and resupply (RORE) missions.

The Department of Foreign Affairs earlier stated that the provisional arrangement with China does not require Manila to seek Beijing’s permission to conduct operations or undertake activities aboard the grounded warship.

“Sabi wala namang permission ‘yan dati, wala namang requirement ‘yan dati. Saka kahit noon, hindi naman – wala tayong ginagawang ganoon. We just… If we have to go and operate, we just have to go and operate,” he added.

He also emphasized that no Filipino crew member or fisherman should be put in danger again.

The country’s chief architect of foreign policy acknowledged like-minded nations that continue to support the Philippines in its assertion of rights in the West Philippine Sea.

“So, it’s really a sticky problem and we’re hoping our allies in the region around the West Philippine Sea who have always supported our international law-based position, will help us in this regard and they are,” he said.

“We are receiving assistance from many, many countries in many different ways. Some of which are new. That we never had these kind of engagements before but it’s happening. It’s happening now,” Marcos added.