The Philippines and China agreed Thursday to an indefinite implementation of an arrangement for the resupply of daily necessities and rotation missions by Manila at Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
Signed in July 2024, the provisional agreement that covers Ayungin Shoal, also known as Second Thomas Shoal, seeks to avoid altercations and ease tensions after a violent confrontation on June 17, 2024 at the Philippine-occupied area.
The decrepit BRP Sierra Madre, a rusting World War II-era vessel, was run aground at Ayungin Shoal in 1999 to assert Manila’s claim.
“The two sides exchanged views on the Provisional Understanding on the Philippines’ rotation and reprovisioning (RORE) missions to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, acknowledged its positive outcomes, and agreed to continue its implementation to sustain the de-escalation of tensions without prejudice to respective national positions,” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement that was released after the conclusion of a bilateral meeting in Xiamen by senior Philippine and Chinese diplomats. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
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