China: PH shouldn’t use evacuation, resupply ‘excuse’ in Ayungin Shoal

Following another incident of dangerous maneuvers by China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels to block Philippine boats in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), Beijing has accused Manila anew of attempting to transport construction supplies to permanently occupy Ayungin Shoal.

On Friday, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela reported that CCG vessels intentionally rammed a Philippine Navy rigid hull inflatable boat despite informing the Chinese side about the humanitarian nature of the mission.

The mission was to evacuate a member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines stationed at BRP Sierra Madre, who was sick, and needed immediate medical attention.

At a press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that “if the Philippines notifies the Chinese side in advance, we can allow delivery of living necessities to the grounded warship or evacuation of personnel concerned.”

“However, the Philippines should not use this as an excuse for delivering construction materials in an attempt to permanently occupy Ren’ai Jiao,” Mao said.

GMA News Online has reached out to Armed Forces chief General Romeo Brawner, Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza, and Tarriela to get their comments on China’s statement and will publish their replies as soon as possible.

The BRP Sierra Madre is a Philippine Navy vessel that ran aground in Ayungin Shoal. It has become a symbol of Philippine sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea.

READ: EXPLAINER: What is the Ayungin Shoal and why is it important?

China calls Ayungin Shoal or Second Thomas Shoal as Ren’ai Jiao as it asserts claims to the entire South China Sea, which overlaps with the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone or the West Philippine Sea.

Beijing’s claims, however, was challenged and an international tribunal, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), declared its claims as having no legal basis in 2016. China however has since been rejecting to honor the decision.

The PCA also found that Ayungin Shoal “form part of the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf of the Philippines [and] are not overlapped by any possible entitlement of China.” —KG, GMA Integrated News