BRP Sierra Madre troops ready to defend Ayungin

Combat-tested sailors and marines guarding the BRP Sierra Madre (LS-57), a Philippine Navy warship grounded in the waters of Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal), are ready to defend the country's outpost in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) if Chinese forces ever try to board it, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Friday, Aug. 22.

- By MARTIN SADONGDONG

AFP spokesperson for WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad made the remark after China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels and small boats armed with mounted weapons conducted maritime drills in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal on Aug. 20.

"This is a form of intimidation. They are trying to intimidate us. They are trying to coerce us by showing their capability. But for us, we already know that they have been doing it even before. Our soldiers will not be shaken by this display of the Chinese forces," he said.