MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) called China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) statement on the Philippines’ resupply and reprovisioning (RORE) mission to Ayungin Shoal last Friday (27 July 2024) “unfortunate” and calls for clarity and adherence to the agreement reached in managing RORE missions.
In a statement released by the DFA on Sunday, it also mentioned that the Spokesperson of the MFA “chose to misrepresent” what has been agreed between the Philippines and China regarding managing differences regarding RORE missions in Ayungin Shoal.
“Instead of acknowledging how two countries were able to manage differences in order to avoid miscalculation and misunderstanding, the Spokesperson chose to misrepresent what has been agreed between the Philippines and China regarding RORE missions in Ayungin Shoal,” the DFA said.
In its regular press briefing in Beijing, the MFA said that the “the entire process (RORE mission) was monitored by China Coast Guard; that China has been “notified” of the resupply mission before it was carried out.
“After confirming on-site that the Philippine vessel carried only humanitarian living necessities, the Chinese side let the vessel through,” the MFA statement continued.
This was denied by the DFA, with Spokesperson Asec. Ma. Teresita Daza saying that “no prior notification and no site inspection was done by the Chinese Coast Guard during the RORE mission.”
“Let us make it absolutely clear: the understanding between the Philippines and China was concluded in good faith, with the explicit agreement that it will not prejudice national positions. It is not helpful to keep giving false notions about what has been agreed on and how they were implemented,” the DFA reiterated.
The DFA also emphasized that the country’s core positions on the West Philippine Sea issues remain clear and consistent.
According to the DFA, this includes, as regards to the Philippines’ legally-settled maritime entitlements and lawful right to conduct routine activities within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
The DFA also mentioned that “BRP Sierra Madre is a commissioned naval vessel and its presence in Ayungin Shoal is well within the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction.”
The DFA challenged China to “adhere to the understanding as negotiated” as the Philippines will remain committed to the peaceful settlement of disputes, including through dialogue and consultation, and will honor the understanding on RORE missions.
Earlier, Manila and Beijing has reached a “provisional arrangement” on Philippine resupply missions for personnel deployed and stationed on BRP Sierra Madre at the Ayungin Shoal, with the purpose of “easing tensions and managing differences” without agreeing to undermine the position of both countries on the issues on the South China Sea.
The RORE missions has been a source of escalating tensions between the Philippines and China with incidents such as shadowing, blocking, and the most violent encounter was when a Philippine Navy personnel was severely injured due to aggressive maneuvers by the Chinese Coast Guard during a RORE mission last June 17, 2024.
