In what could be considered a tactical diversion, the Philippines claimed that one of the supply boats that was part of the Christmas cruise of the This is Ours Coalition successfully made its way to the Philippine Navy garrison ship BRP Sierra Madre at the Second Thomas Shoal on Sunday, December 10 to deliver supplies and holiday cheer.

Local media reported that the supply boat Unaizah Mae 1, despite being harassed and damaged by Chinese coast guard vessels a few hours prior, managed to reach the Sierra Madre despite the main body of the Christmas convoy, including the expedition flagship TS Felix Oca, was asked to turn around after being shadowed by multiple Chinese vessels.

The supply boat's sister vessel, Unaizah Mae 2, suffered a similar fate last October, The Maritime Executive reported.

Read Also: Filipino Senator Warns of China's Actions as Christmas Convoy Gets Green-Lit

PH Military Chief Outraged with China's Actions

Local media further reported that aboard the Unaizah Mae 1 was Philippine military chief Gen. Romeo Brawner.

In a media briefing upon his return to Manila, the general recalled his firsthand experience personally conducting the resupply mission to the garrison ship and expressed his anger over China's harassment.

"After they rammed and fired their water cannons, the Chinese Coast Guard [ship] cut in front of us several times, and when they got ahead, we were about to proceed but they attempted to pull back," Brawner said. "What a bunch of fools."

(Photo: JAM STA ROSA/AFP via Getty Images)

According to Rappler, Brawner and Philippine Western Command Chief Vice Adm. Alberto Carlos held a Christmas party for the troops stationed aboard the Sierra Madre and shared a meal before returning to friendlier waters.

Filipino military officials said that Brawner was the very first military chief of staff to step aboard the World War II-era ship.

While the Unaizah Mae 1 was able to slip past the Chinese ships and return to port under her own power, the engines of the Kalayaan - the motor launcher accompanying Brawner's flagboat - were severely damaged that escort ships of the Philippine Coast Guard needed to tow her back to the island province of Palawan for repairs.

A source familiar with the matter revealed to HNGN, on the condition of anonymity, that the incident was one of the few unsuccessful resupply missions Manila conducted so far, as two supply boats were the minimum required to properly replenish the Sierra Madre.

Brawner added that he insisted on joining the resupply mission to personally see how the Chinese vessels were behaving during the voyage. He told reporters that he informed Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that he would join the mission. While Marcos approved Brawner's involvement and relayed his directive to bring Christmas gifts to the garrison, it was not clear if the general informed the president of his direct presence onboard the supply boat.

In retrospect, Brawner admitted that he put his life at risk for his decision to board the Unaizah Mae 1, the Manila Bulletin reported, as the vessel could have been destroyed by a much larger Chinese coast guard ship.

"That's really the job of the commander, [that is,] to visit his troops [in] the frontlines," he explained.

Separately, Brawner told Filipino broadcaster GMA that what happened to him on Sunday "infuriated" him.

"I believed that the Chinese did not know I was on Unaizah Mae, that's why they did not change their tactics," he added. "Instead, they further increased their aggressive actions."

Marcos Condemns China's Grinch-esque Actions

Meanwhile, the Malacañang accused China of proliferating fake news and false information over the latest skirmishes its vessels committed against its far lighter Filipino adversaries, causing significant damages to the latter.

However, Filipino defense and security officials dismissed speculations that China's harassment of the Unaizah Mae 1 with Brawner on board was tantamount to an act of war.

National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea spokesperson Jonathan Malaya told reporters that the incident was nevertheless considered a "serious escalation" of hostile activities on the part of China.

"The Filipino people and the whole world know and [have] seen that the incidents in the past two days [is a] serious escalation on the part of the People's Republic of China," he said.

"But is this an act of war? We don't think so. This is just part of a cat-and-mouse game that China seems to be utilizing to further its own interests."

In a separate statement, Marcos renewed his vow to defend Philippine sovereignty against Chinese aggression.

"The aggression and provocations perpetrated by the China Coast Guard and their Chinese Maritime Militia against our vessels and personnel over the weekend have only further steeled our determination to defend and protect our nation's sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter, pertaining to waters in the South China Sea falling under its exclusive economic zone.

"To our gallant service members, be assured of our utmost gratitude and fullest support. We remain undeterred."

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