Defense chief Austin hits ‘coercive, risky’ behavior near Ayungin Shoal

By Rey E. Requejo, Vince Lopez and Macon Ramos-Araneta

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III on Thursday expressed serious concern over China’s “coercive and risky” behavior after Chinese vessels harassed Philippine boats in the Ayungin Shoal.

Austin conveyed his concern during a call to Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro on Thursday (US time).

"Secretary Austin noted with concern the PRC's (People's Republic of China) recent coercive and risky operational behavior directed against Philippine vessels operating safely and lawfully in the South China Sea, including around Second Thomas Shoal," a readout provided by Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said.

On Wednesday, the Philippine Coast Guard said two Chinese coast guard vessels took what it described as “dangerous maneuvers” that could have caused a collision with PCG ships assisting the resupply mission of the Armed Forces of the Philippines near Ayungin Shoal on June 30.

Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., flanked by House Speaker Martin Romualdez (right) and Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, holds up the New Agrarian Emancipation Act he signed into law on Friday in Malacañan Palace. After the signing ceremony, Mr. Marcos also led the ceremonial awarding of land titles to some of 23,000 beneficiaries – mirroring what his father, the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. did 50 years ago (inset) -- at the Heroes Hall in Malacañang.

Rey Baniquet and Ver Noveno