Armed Forces of the Philippines General Romeo Brawner Jr. said that China has no right to ban the Philippines from repairing the BRP Sierra Madre on Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

In an online forum, Brawner said that the Chinese government has no right to block the Philippines after building artificial islands there, insisting that the country is well within its right to rehabilitate the Philippine Navy boat.

However, China continues to respond to Brawner that the Ayungin Shoal is their territory and the Philippines is violating China’s territorial sovereignty.

The AFP chief stated that the delivery of supplies and repairs to BRP Sierra Madre will continue to help the marines serving there.

He said that he believes that the country has the right to repair a ship because it is a Philippine-commissioned Navy ship, and even if it is located in Ayungin Shoal, the Philippines still has the right to repair it.

Brawner emphasized that China had gone far in installing missile systems on its man-made islands, having the audacity to obstruct the Philippines from conducting repairs within the territory.

It can be recalled that Chinese vessels hit an AFP-contracted ship during the resupply mission, which was a form of harassment and bullying for the Philippines.