House panel starts Ayungin collision probe

MANILA, Philippines — The House special committee on the West Philippine Sea kicked off yesterday its inquiry into China’s aggressive actions against Filipino vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

“Tensions are high, and it comes when we are experiencing numerous simultaneous conflicts around the world. The frequent incidents prompted by Chinese vessels in the WPS is a serious cause for concern,” committee chair and Mandaluyong Rep. Neptali Gonzales II said in his opening speech.

Speaker Martin Romualdez initiated the hearing after spearheading House efforts to realign some P1.23 billion in confidential funds in the 2024 national budget to the protection of the country’s interests in the WPS.

Gonzales said the hearing was meant to “serve as a platform for open dialogue, ensuring that we address the challenges head-on and work towards a peaceful, cooperative future.”

The hearing was mainly intended to dig deeper into the Oct. 22 incident wherein a Chinese coast guard ship made “dangerous maneuvers” to stop a Philippine vessel from unloading provisions for troops stationed on the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal. The CCG ship slightly hit the Filipino vessel in the process.

He said the Chinese’s growing aggressiveness in Philippine waters is “a serious cause for concern.”

The panel went into an executive session to discuss steps being taken by Philippine authorities to deal with Chinese provocations.

Earlier during the hearing, PCG spokesman for the WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela told the panel that the fund realignment would have a “tremendous impact” on the PCG’s capability to defend the country’s interest “not just in the WPS but in other parts of the country.”