The Philippines on Saturday conducted a rotation and reprovisioning (RORE) mission to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, the first since its “concluded arrangement” with China during the 9th Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM).
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed the RORE mission and said it utilized “the civilian vessel MV Lapu-Lapu, escorted by Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel BRP Cape Engaño.”
The Foreign Affairs Department added “no untoward incidents were reported.”
“It was the first RORE mission conducted under the ambit of the understanding reached between the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China on principles and approaches for the conduct of RORE missions in Ayungin Shoal for the purpose of avoiding misunderstandings and miscalculations, without prejudice to national positions,” the DFA said in a statement.
“The lawful and routine RORE mission within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) is a credit to the professionalism of the men and women of the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard, and the close coordination among the National Security Council, Department of National Defense, and the Department of Foreign Affairs,” it added.
Earlier, China claimed that the “concluded
arrangement” would require the Philippines to provide “prior notification and on-site confirmation” before any resupply missions.
China also stated its willingness to allow resupply missions only on the condition that it would oversee the entire process, no construction materials would be distributed, and it would “resolutely stop” any actions not in accordance with its laws.
The DFA denounced China’s statement as “inaccurate,” assuring the arrangement concluded a “clear understanding by both sides that it will not prejudice its 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,” the DFA assured.
Maritime security expert Ray Powell commended the Philippines for taking a “principled position” in refusing to agree to such an arrangement with China, affirming its sovereign rights in Ayungin Shoal.
“Manila has taken the principled position that prior notification and on-site confirmation hits at the heart of Philippine sovereign rights, and that to acquiesce to these demands would be tantamount of surrendering jurisdiction to China,” Powell said in a message with Manila Standard.
“Beijing, on the other hand, is loathe to give back ground it believed it gained during the previous administration. Because it believes that it is a great nation with a grand destiny to control the entire South China Sea, it does not believe in giving up what it believes it has already gained—effective control over Ayungin Shoal and the right to decide what goes in and out,” he added.
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