Aerial photograph taken from a military aircraft shows the dilapidated Sierra Madre ship of the Philippine Navy anchored near Second Thomas Shoal. - Inquirernet/Facebook
MANILA: The National Security Council (NSC) countered China’s claim regarding the latest West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) resupply mission, stressing the voyage continued without asking permission from Beijing.
In a Bagong Pilipinas Briefing in Malacanang, NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said the assertion of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs that “China had been informed of the resupply before it was carried out” is not true.
“I just want to categorically disprove that. As the DFA said, it’s a misrepresentation of facts. No boarding happened, no inspection happened, and no asking of permission happened either,” said NSC Assistant. Director General Jonathan Malaya said in a Bagong Pilipinas Briefing.
“The Philippines will not ask for permission from anyone at any time, especially when we are conducting operations in the West Philippine Sea,” he added.
Malaya cited the July 2016 arbitral ruling, which, he stressed, decided that Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal is a low-tide elevation within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.
“That means it cannot be claimed by China because it is part of the Philippines,” he said.
Malaya even declared the July 27 resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre on Ayungin Shoal as “successful” because no untoward incidents such as dangerous manoeuvres, water cannons, or ramming occurred during the voyage.
He then attributed its success to the country’s negotiation with China where both agreed to de-escalate tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
Malaya, however, noted that nine Chinese vessels were still spotted in the area while the resupply mission was being carried out over the weekend.
Four of the vessels were from the the Chinese Coast Guard ships, three from the People’s Liberation Army, and two from Beijng’s maritime militia.
Still, Malaya noted the number of Chinese ships are significantly less than before, when it even reached up to 40 vessels.
“They kept their distance now, meaning they distanced themselves, they let our RoRe mission sail smoothly,” he said. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
