'No intention to hurt, provoke Phl troops'

China actions meant to stop resupply, says NTF-WPS

- GHIO ONG

The Chinese did not intend to harm Filipino coast guard and military personnel when they boarded their boats - brandishing pick axes and sticks - to prevent them from reaching the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal last week, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela said yesterday.

The June 17 incident, which drew condemnation from the international community, was considered the most violent move so far by Chinese to disrupt a resupply mission for troops stationed on the Sierra Madre.

"On the part of the People's Republic of China, their real intention was to prevent the resupply mission. There is no reason to interpret it as an armed attack because it was just an intention of China to prevent the resupply from being successful," Tarriela said at the Saturday News Forum, echoing Malacañang's pronouncement on Friday that the Chinese action did not constitute an armed attack, hence not enough to trigger the Mutual Defense Treaty with the United States.

Sought for details on the incident, Tarriela said China's only intention was to block the rotation and resupply mission for the Sierra Madre.