Despite some Chinese harassment, the Philippines on Friday successfully resupplied its troops manning the BRP Sierra Madre (LS-57), which is stationed at Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
This was reported by the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) in a statement to reporters.
The resupply was conducted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Western Command with assistance from the Philippine Coast Guard.
The last resupply to the BRP Sierra Madre took place last August 22. The delivery was partially accomplished following the August 5 resupply, which was blocked and water cannoned by the Chinese.
“The Task Force is also informed that the harassment, dangerous maneuvers, and aggressive conduct of the vessels of the China Coast Guard [CCG] and Chinese Maritime Militia [CMM] against our public vessels took place again during the conduct of routine and regular operations well within our nation’s exclusive economic zone [EEZ],” NTF-WPS reported.
It also noted that these operations are part of the Philippine government’s legitimate exercise of its administrative functions and jurisdiction over the WPS that is firmly anchored on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the final and binding 2016 Arbitral Award.
“The Task Force strongly deplores and condemns the continued illegal, aggressive, and destabilizing conduct of the CCG [China coast guard] and the CMM [Chinese maritime militia] within our nation’s EEZ [exclusive economic zone]. We reiterate what President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said during the recently concluded 43rd Asean Summit regarding the South China Sea: ‘Practical cooperation in the maritime domain can only flourish with an enabling environment of regional peace, security, and stability anchored in international law.’ We call on all to do their part in ensuring a peaceful and rules-based international order in the oceans,’” it added.
‘Without permission’
Following the successful resupply mission, the Chinese Coast Guard accused the Philippines of entering Ayungin Shoal illegally, “without the permission of the Chinese government.”
China claims the entire South China Sea, including Ayungin Shoal (which they refer to as Ren’ai Reef) in the Spratly Islands (which they call Nansha Islands).
“The China Coast Guard strictly warned the Philippine vessels in accordance with the law, tracked and monitored the vessels all the way and effectively regulated them,” the spokesperson of the Chinese Coast Guard said in a statement.
Beijing insisted that the Philippine resupply ships carried construction materials to fortify the grounded World War II vessel BRP Sierra Madre.
“China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands, including the Ren’ai Reef, and its adjacent waters, and firmly opposes the illegal transportation of construction materials by the Philippines to the illegal grounded warship,” the Chinese Coast Guard said.
“The China Coast Guard will continue to carry out law enforcement activities in the sea areas under China’s jurisdiction according to law,” it added.
Image credits: AP/Bullit Marquez, File
