MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said China’s statement regarding the supposed new agreement with the Philippines on the resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal was “inaccurate.”
According to DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza, the Philippines reached a deal with China “in good faith,” but denied the latter’s claim that they have agreed to certain conditions.
In a statement on Sunday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said the Philippines agreed that resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal must have notification and on-site confirmation from China.
“In our desire to de-escalate the situation in the South China Sea and to manage differences in a peaceful manner, we emphasize that the agreement was done in good faith,” Daza said on Monday.
Diaz, however, stressed that the arrangement was concluded “with the clear understanding by both sides that it will not prejudice our respective national positions.”
“For the Philippines, this means that we will continue to assert our rights and jurisdiction in our maritime zones as entitled under UNCLOS, including in Ayungin Shoal which is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf,” Daza said.
Diaz further said that the Philippines “remains ready” to implement the agreement despite the misunderstanding as she urged China “to do the same.”
Philippines occupies Ayungin Shoal, also known by its international name Second Thomas Shoal and called Ren’ai Jiao by the Chinese, but is being claimed by China as its own.
Following a series of negotiations, Philippine and Chinese officials agreed to a crucial deal over the weekend in a bid to reduce tensions in the area and finalized a provisional arrangement for the resupply of daily necessities and rotation missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.
The rusting World War II-era vessel was intentionally grounded by the Philippines at the shoal in 1998 in response to China’s occupation of Philippine-claimed Mischief Reef in 1995.
China repeatedly attempted to block Philippine resupply missions and rotational troop deployment to the shoal by firing high-pressure water cannons, intentional ramming and other dangerous maneuvers.
The said actions by China have raised tensions, prompting condemnations and concern from several regional and global powers, led by the United States.
Ayungin is 105.77 nautical miles from the nearest Philippine province of Palawan and constitutes part of the country’s 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone and continental shelf as provided under UNCLOS./PN
