The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday reiterated that Ayungin Shoal is within the Philippines’ maritime zones and that Filipino activities in the area are not subject to any state’s approval. The statement came after Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian on Tuesday made a comment that there had been a ‘special arrangement’ for the delivery of humanitarian supplies to BRP Sierra Madre and that the “problem arose when the Philippines transported large-scale building materials’. DFA spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza did not confirm Huang’s claims but said “the rotation and resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre are legitimate and routine activities in our EEZ (exclusive economic zone)’. ‘The Philippines’ exercise of its sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction within our maritime zones is not subject to any other country’s approval. This is the norm,’ she said in a statement. The Philippine Coast Guard on Wednesday, meanwhile, denied that there was a special agreement over what kind of supplies the country can bring to Ayungin. PCG spokesperson for West Philippine Sea Jay Tarriela echoed that Manila does not need permission from Beijing as the country has sovereign rights over the feature. The rotation and resupply mission was able to safely deliver fresh provision supplies to the contingent manning the beached BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal on Aug. 22. The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea said the routine missions to the Philippine outposts on various features in the West Philippine Sea will continue ‘on a regular basis’.
Source: Philippines News Agency