SUMMARY
MANILA, Philippines – At least nine Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) ships and one China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel remain inside and within the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal, a feature some 105 nautical miles off the coast of Palawan, Western Command chief Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos said Thursday, December 14.
Of the nine CMM ships, five are inside the lagoon of the shoal, while four are outside. Another CCG vessel was monitored just outside the shoal, he added.
The crew of the LS57 or the BRP Sierra Madre, a World War II ship that serves as an outpost in the shoal, sends troops aboard rubber boats to “non-confrontationally drive away” the Chinese vessels. These attempts are ignored, said Carlos.
“We will just properly document their presence there and recommend filing of diplomati…