The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has directed its personnel stationed at Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea to exercise maximum restraint and continue adhering strictly to legal protocols amid a marked increase in Chinese maritime maneuvers in the region. AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. articulated the military's unwavering stance during an interview in Makati City, emphasizing the commitment to national sovereignty despite provocations.\n\n"We are continuously monitoring Chinese activities around Ayungin Shoal," Brawner said. "Regardless of attempts to breach rules of engagement or international law, we remain steadfast at our post to uphold our sovereign rights."\n\nThis directive follows intensified pressure from Chinese vessels approaching the grounded BRP Sierra Madre, a Philippine military outpost at Ayungin Shoal, to distances as close as 50 to 70 meters. On August 20 and 21, the AFP reported a notable increase in Chinese presence, with around 25 vessels identified, including eleven rigid-hulled inflatable boats, five China Coast Guard ships, several fast boats, a rotary-wing aircraft, and an unmanned aerial vehicle operating in the area.\n\nDespite the heightened tensions, Brawner reiterated the AFP's commitment to a rules-based defense strategy. He highlighted the symbolic importance of maintaining the BRP Sierra Madre as a physical assertion of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).\n\nRegarding potential troop reinforcements at Ayungin, Brawner clarified that any such decisions would involve a coordinated national approach, not solely determined by military command. "It is a whole-of-nation effort, and we await further instructions from the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea," he noted.\n\nCharacterizing the situation near the shoal as "tense," Brawner stressed that Philippine troops continue to respond firmly, even when operating smaller rubber boats against larger Chinese vessels. "We have consistently pushed them away, standing our ground to prevent encroachment near the BRP Sierra Madre," he asserted.\n\nAyungin Shoal, also known as Second Thomas Shoal, remains a hotspot in the ongoing South China Sea dispute, frequently witnessing confrontations between Philippine forces and Chinese maritime units. The AFP reassured the public that all operations are conducted with professionalism and under full compliance with national and international legal standards.