MANILA, Philippines — The Department and Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the Philippines and China have agreed on a “provisional arrangement” in the rotation and resupply (RORE) missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.
In a statement Sunday, the foreign affairs department said the two countries “will not prejudice each other’s positions in the South China Sea.”
“The Philippines and the People’s Republic of China have reached an understanding on the provisional arrangement for the resupply of daily necessities and rotation missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal,” it said following the 9th Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea in Manila on July 2.
Both parties said it acknowledged the need to de-escalate tensions in the South China Sea and to manage their differences through dialogue and consultation.
The DFA said it will continue to assert its right in the disputed waters under the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
“The Philippines will continue to assert its rights and jurisdiction in its maritime zones under UNCLOS, including in Ayungin Shoal which is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf,” it said.
On June 17, the Philippine authorities’ resupply mission resulted in a violent skirmish following an assault by the Chinese Coast Guard which resulted in injuries to several Philippine Navy personnel, including one who lost his right thumb. The Chinese personnel blocked, harassed, and attacked them as they attempted to deliver food and supplies to Ayungin.
Following the incident, government agencies slammed Beijing for attacking the Philippine navy to which it later backtracked saying China’s violent behavior is not an “armed” attack.
Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro said that the Philippine government is not downplaying China’s aggression near Ayungin Shoal adding that the strife with CCG was not a “misunderstanding” or “accident” but an aggressive and illegal use of force from Chinese authorities.
