THE Department of Foreign Affairs remains unfazed by China’s demand to remove the BRP Sierra Madre that the government has deployed in Ayungin shoal as it reiterated that the vessel remained within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and is a permanent military station in the area.
In a statement, DFA spokesperson Tess Daza said “The deployment of a Philippine military station in its own areas of jurisdiction is an inherent right of the Philippines and does not violate any laws. Moreover, the Philippine station on Ayungin Shoal was deployed in 1999, years ahead of the conclusion in 2002 of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and is therefore not a violation of the DOC.”
The deployment of the vessel is part of efforts to protect Philippine rights and interests in the area, she said.
The BRP Sierra Madre was grounded in Ayungin in 1999 in response to China’s illegal occupation of Panganiban Reef in 1995, she said.
“The BRP Sierra Madre is a commissioned vessel of the Philippine Navy that serves as a permanent station for Philippine military personnel deployed to protect and secure Philippine rights and interests in the West Philippine Sea, particularly in the Ayungin Shoal and its vicinity,” she said.
China, whose coast guard recently blasted a water cannon at a Philippine Coast Guard vessel in Ayungin, should adhere to its obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), said Daza.
She said the 2016 ruling of the arbitral tribunal had stated that Ayungin Shoal is a low-tide elevation that is not subject to sovereignty claims or appropriation. It is part of the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines over which the country has sovereign rights and jurisdiction, she said.
“The 2016 Arbitral Award is based on UNCLOS and affirms UNCLOS. It is final, legal and binding. China as a state party to UNCLOS is well aware of that and we call on China to faithfully adhere to its obligations and commitments as a state party to UNCLOS,” she said.
She said the Philippines’ missions to bring supplies to personnel stationed in Ayungin and to repair the BRP Sierra Madre are part of regular operations in line with domestic and international law.
These are intended to safeguard the well-being of the personnel stationed there, she said.
Following the uproar over the Chinese coast guard’s actions, China called on the Philippines to remove the ship in Ayungin, and claimed that the country had repeatedly promised to tow it away but had failed to do so. However, Philippine officials had denied making such a promise.
