PCG completes probe of Ayungin collisions; results to be forwarded to Marcos

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has completed its investigation of the October 22 collision of Filipino and Chinese vessels in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, and the results will be submitted to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. after the Baranggay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan said the probe was finished last Friday, Oct. 27, and the results were currently being reviewed by the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

“Sa tulong po ng lahat ng aking kasamahan, ng senior officers at saka mga technical experts, natapos po natin ‘yung investigation noong Friday at naisubmit na rin po namin. Ito po ay under review ng aming departamento sa ngayon (Through the help of all of my colleagues, our senior officers and technical experts, we completed the investigation last Friday and we already submitted it. The results are under review by our department right now),” Gavan said in a radio interview with dzBB on Sunday, Oct. 29.

The PCG chief refused to discuss the details of the outcome of their investigation as he said it would be the Malacañang that would release it.

“Titingnan rin po natin kung ano ‘yung magiging rekomendasyon ng National Task Force on West Philippine Sea na pinangungunahan po ng ating National Security Adviser [Eduardo Año] so napakasensitibo po nito. Hintayin na lang po natin kung ano po ang magiging rekomendasyon ng kabuuang grupo (We will also determine the recommendation of the National Task Force on West Philippine Sea led by National Security Adviser [Eduardo Año] so it’s really a sensitive matter. Let us just wait for the recommendation of the whole group),” Gavan noted.

Nonetheless, Gavan said the PCG would intensify its patrol operations in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) to maintain their presence in the tense waters.

At present, there are three PCG ships that are deployed in the WPS to conduct routine patrol operations.

It can be recalled that Marcos directed the PCG to conduct a swift investigation on the collision of supply boat Unaizah Mae 2 and a China Coast Guard ship during a resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal last Oct. 22. PCG ship BRP Cabra was also bumped by a Chinese maritime militia during the said operation.

The National Task Force on West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) said it considers the collision as a serious escalation of Chinese aggression in WPS.

Gavan, in an emergency meeting in Malacañang on Oct. 23, said the results of their investigation would be submitted to Marcos in five days.

Meanwhile, Gavan said BRP Cabra has already been repaired after it sustained minor damages due to the collision and now ready to be deployed again for another resupply run. — Martin Sadongdong