Volunteer Filipino artists work on their respective murals along the Camp Aguinaldo High School perimeter wall on Boni Serrano Avenue, Quezon City, as part of the WPS Mural Festival on April 9, 2026. The project aims to highlight the beauty of the Philippines and the importance of protecting the West Philippine Sea. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela questioned the Chinese Embassy in Manila’s accusations against the Philippines, saying its statement appeared to be confused about “right and wrong” following the United States’ condemnation of China’s interference in a Philippine resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal.
“Here in responding to the Chinese Embassy, where they are also condemning the US Embassy's statement, it's a bit weird. Because for me, I really don't know what is the basis of the Chinese Embassy for what they said is right or wrong,” Tarriela told reporters in an interview in Basco, Batanes.
The US Embassy in Manila had condemned the China Coast Guard (CCG) and the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N) for what it described as dangerous blocking and irresponsible maneuvers that threatened a collision with a Philippine vessel and prevented a routine resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal on September 24.
The Chinese Embassy hit back, accusing the Philippines of violating its commitments and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) by proceeding with the mission despite China’s warnings.
It defended its coast guard’s actions, saying its personnel monitored and followed the Philippine vessel and issued verbal warnings.
Tarriela rejected Beijing’s accusations, insisting that the Philippine rotation and resupply (RoRe) mission was legitimate and routine, and did not violate the DOC.
“I don't think that the Philippine government, through the resupply operation, which is legitimate and routine, that our Armed Forces of the Philippines are doing, is in violation of the DOC,” the official said.
“If there's one country who violated the DOC, that would be the People's Republic of China,” he added, citing China’s militarization of reclaimed features in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG)z
Tarriela also thanked the US Embassy for backing the Philippines, saying Washington and its allies are standing up for a rules-based order and international law in the West Philippine Sea.