This file photo taken on April 23, 2023 shows the grounded Philippine navy ship BRP Sierra Madre, where marines are stationed to assert Manila’s territorial claims at Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands, in disputed waters of the South China Sea. Manila’s resupply missions to troops on a disputed South China Sea atoll will remain purely Philippine operations, the National Security Council said July 21, 2024, after Washington vowed to “do what is necessary” to support them. FILE PHOTO/Agence France-Presse
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday disputed its Chinese counterpart’s claim that the Philippines agreed to prior notification and on-site confirmation for their agreed “temporary arrangement” for the rotation and resupply (Rore) missions of daily necessities to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.
In a statement, the DFA labeled Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian’s pronouncement as “inaccurate.”
“The principles and approaches laid out in the agreement were reached through a series of careful and meticulous consultations between both sides that paved the way for a convergence of ideas without compromising national positions,” the DFA said.
“The spokesperson’s statement regarding prior notification and on-site confirmation is therefore inaccurate,” it added.
READ: PH-China agreement reached on Ayungin
Lin earlier stated that China had agreed to allow the Philippines to conduct its Rore missions, provided the Philippines informs them “in advance and after on-site verification is conducted.”
He also added that China will monitor the entire resupply process, and even threatened to “resolutely stop” such missions if it included “large amount[s] of construction materials to the warship and attempt to build fixed facilities or permanent outpost[s].”
He then accused the Philippines of violating China’s sovereignty and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, especially Article 5, which says the parties should refrain from action of inhabiting the uninhabited islands and reefs.
READ: West PH Sea: No Ayungin resupply since violent June 17 encounter
“We continue to demand that the Philippines tow away the warship and restore Ren’ai Jiao’s state of hosting no personnel or facilities,” he said.
But the DFA insisted that the agreement “was concluded with the clear understanding by both sides that it will not prejudice our respective national positions.”
It maintained that the Philippines would continue to assert its rights and jurisdiction in its maritime zones, including Ayungin Shoal, which is well within the country’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, citing the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Despite the disagreement, both sides reiterated that they agreed to jointly manage maritime differences in an effort to de-escalate tensions between the two countries.
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“We emphasize that the agreement was done in good faith and the Philippines remains ready to implement it. We urge China to do the same,” the DFA said.
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