According to National Security Council (NSC) Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya, China’s “political operators” supporting Beijing’s claims in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) are undermining the Philippines’ position against China’s maritime claims.

According to him, one particular claim—that the Philippines allegedly promised to remove the BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal—is part of Beijing’s “psychological warfare” to sway Filipino public opinion in favor of China.

“We think this is part of what we call psychological or cognitive warfare of China so we will not be united in our position (on the Ayungin Shoal issue),” Malaya said.

“It’s better for them (Chinese) if we, as a nation, are not united. They (Chinese) are exerting efforts, through their own political operators in our country, to undermine our position at a time when we are supposed to be united,” he added.

Earlier, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has denied the existence of such an agreement to remove the grounded warship that serves as a military outpost in the West Philippine Sea, and has stated that if such an agreement existed, he would rescind it.

“Double standard”

Turning the tables on China, Malaya slammed China’s “double standard” as he claimed that the country had broken its promises to not militarize Panganiban reef (Mischief reef) it had occupied and to withdraw from Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal by the year 2012.

“At Scarborough Shoal, the arrangement was very clear. The Philippines will pull out, they (China) will pull out. Both sides will pull out but they (Chinese) didn’t leave. That was also promise also of China so it seems they have a double standard in dealing with us,” said Malaya.

About 134 nautical miles away from Palawan, Panganiban Reef is said to be home to sizable anti-aircraft guns and perhaps close-range weaponry. In 1995, the Chinese constructed “shelters” for fishermen at Panganiban. The reef, on the other hand, has been transformed into one of China’s largest artificial islands in the South China Sea, and it now serves as a military garrison with an airstrip capable of handling both cargo planes and fighter jets.

During a standoff with Philippine vessels in 2012, China deployed navy ships at Panatag and has since maintained control of the shoal, a traditional Filipino fishing ground.

Vessels at the Ayungin Shoal are involved in the most recent incident of Chinese harassment. Two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels, two indigenous boats, and six Chinese Coast Guard vessels engaged in repeated dangerous manoeuvres and water cannoning near Ayungin Shoal on August 5.

The military hired the wooden supply boats to transport supplies to soldiers stationed at BRP Sierra Madre, which was grounded at the shoal to serve as a military outpost in 1999. The PCG ships were only serving as an escort for the boats.

Only one of the supply boats managed to reach Ayungin shoal due to the Chinese harassment.

The military said it is sending another resupply mission to the shoal because the supplies that reached the troops last August 5 were not enough.

China justified the actions of its Coast Guard vessels, saying these were “professional, restrained and beyond reproach.” It later demanded that the Philippine government remove the BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin shoal, in keeping with the latter’s supposed commitment.

However, government officials denied such the existence of the “commitment” China claims, noting Ayungin Shoal is within the country’s 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone.

Former Press Sec. Tiglao clouding the issue – ASec Malaya

Earlier this week, Senator Jinggoy Estrada in his privilege speech, accused columnist Rigoberto Tiglao for blaming former President Joseph Estrada promising China to tow BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal.

Former Press Secretary Rigoberto Tiglao, who served under the Arroyo administration, said the commitment was made in 1999 by then President Joseph Estrada, the senator’s father.

“It was made verbally, allegedly, to who? Can you name names, Mr. Tiglao? Stupid,” Estrada said in his privilege speech.

“Tiglao was a member, a Cabinet member of the Arroyo administration and he was conspicuously silent in asserting our sovereign rights over issues concerning the West Philippine Sea. Gag* ka [You’re a fool],” Estrada added.

It was during the Estrada administration in 1999 that BRP Sierra Madre was grounded to serve as the Philippines’ military outpost in Ayungin Shoal.

Malaya said, “The issue should have been closed when the President (Marcos Jr.) spoke (about it)… That (President’s remarks) should have put an end to the issue.”

“What’s happening is former Secretary Tiglao is clouding the issue,” he added.

Malaya stated that Filipinos should work together to advance the Philippines’ interests in the Ayungin Shoal issue.

“They are using the issue (supposed 1999 commitment) to divide us, so that we will not be united and resort to pointing fingers. Let us not fall into the trap (of China),” added Malaya.

Photo: Philippine News Agency