MOSCOW, August 22 (Bernama-Sputnik/RIA Novosti): Philippine Defence Minister Gilberto Teodoro on Friday has accused China of violating international law by allegedly conducting military manoeuvres near the BRP Sierra Madre, a Philippine navy vessel grounded at the disputed Ayungin shoal in the South China Sea, reported Sputnik/RIA Novosti.
On Thursday, Philippine media reported, citing the country's armed forces, that the China Coast Guard had conducted manoeuvres and drills, and used water cannons near the shoal.
"The activities of China in any area, whether in the Sierra Madre or any area under their nebulous claims, are matter not only of concern, but of condemnation, because these are in gross violations of international law and actually it is a product of a false narrative," Teodoro said at a joint press conference with Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles in Manila.
Teodoro also stressed "the need for deterring China," calling on the international community to make it clear that such actions will not be tolerated.
Ayungin Shoal, also known as Second Thomas Shoal, is a disputed reef claimed by the Philippines, China, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam. The Philippine navy deploys a small Marine contingent on the US-built Philippine navy ship Sierra Madre, which was deliberately run aground in 1999 in response to China's territorial claims.
The territorial affiliation of a number of islands and reefs in the South China Sea has been the subject of disputes between China, the Philippines and several other Asia-Pacific countries for decades.
Significant oil and gas reserves have been discovered on the continental shelf of those islands, including the Paracel Islands, Thitu Island, Scarborough Shoal and the Spratly Islands, with the Whitson Reef being part.
In July 2016, following a lawsuit filed by the Philippines, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that China has no grounds for territorial claims in the South China Sea.
The court ruled that the islands are not disputed territory and do not constitute an exclusive economic zone, but Beijing refused to recognise or accept the ruling.
--BERNAMA-SPUTNIK/RIA NOVOSTI
