Two Philippine supply boats on their way to bring food supplies to military personnel in Ayungin Shoal were blocked and water cannoned by three Chinese Coast Guard vessels on Tuesday, November 16, Foreign affairs Secretary Teodoro Locisn Jr. said Thursday.
In a statement, Locsin said no one was hurt from the incident, but boats had to abort their resupply mission.
Due to the incident, Locsin said he has conveyed "in the strongest terms" to Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian and his Chinese counterpart in Beijing the Philippines' "outrage, condemnation, and protest of the incident."
"I reminded China that a public vessel is covered by the Philippines-United States Mutual Defense Treaty," he said.
"The acts of the Chinese Coast Guard vessels are illegal. China has no law enforcement rights in and around these areas. They must take heed and back off," he added.
Locsin also warned that China's "failure to exercise self-restraint" could possibly threaten the ties between President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
"The Philippines will continue to provide supplies to our troops in Ayungin Shoal," Locsin added. "We do not ask permission to do what we need to do in our territory."
The Kalayaan Island Group is part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.
