THE Department of Foreign Affairs has issued an statement and said it not aware of any “new model” arrangement being referred to by the Chinese Embassy with regard to Ayungin Shoal.
The DFA reiterates its firm position that the Philippines has not entered into any agreement abandoning its sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, including on the Ayungin Shoal. On issues of such importance, any agreements or arrangements would be made only if authorized at the highest level of government.
Earlier, Secretary of National Defense Gibo Teodoro and National Security Adviser Eduardo Año have both denied the existence of any informal arrangements on the Ayungin Shoal shows the untruthfulness of China’s narrative.
The Foreign Affairs department said China should desist from disseminating such disinformation or insinuations against Philippine officials, which create confusion among the Filipino public and distract from the real issues created by China’s unfounded claims, and illegal and aggressive actions in our waters.
The Philippines has been earnest in seeking ways to reduce tensions with China through established diplomatic channels. If China is serious about properly managing the differences at sea, we urge China to favorably consider the standing Philippine invitation to convene the next meeting of the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea (BCM-SCS) as soon as possible, said the statement.
