Navy confirms Chinese tugboat presence near BRP Sierra Madre

The Philippine Navy confirmed the presence of a People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) tugboat near the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.

However, Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, stated that the tugboat has already left the area as of Tuesday, August 26.

Trinidad explained that a single tugboat would be insufficient to tow away the BRP Sierra Madre, which has been intentionally grounded since 1999.

The Navy's assessment is that the tugboat was likely for the PLAN's own use in case their vessels run aground in the shoal's shallow waters.

As of Tuesday, 19 Chinese vessels, including two coast guard ships and 15 maritime militia vessels, were monitored in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal, a number Trinidad noted as constant.