THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday morning summoned the chargé d’affaires of the Chinese Embassy following the China Coast Guard’s (CCG) dangerous maneuver against a Philippine vessel on a recent rotation and resupply (RoRe) mission to Ayungin Shoal.
DFA spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza, in a statement, said they summoned the Chinese chargé d’affaires to “convey the Philippines’ strong protest against the aggressive actions” committed by the CCG and Chinese maritime militia.
Daza said that the Philippine Embassy in Beijing has also been instructed to lodge the same demarche with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“In these demarches, the Philippines stressed, among others, that China has no right to be in Ayungin Shoal, a low-tide elevation that lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in accordance with the 1982 UNCLOS and as affirmed by the 2016 Arbitral Award,” she said.
“China’s continued interference with the Philippines’ routine and lawful activities in its own exclusive economic zone is unacceptable. It infringes upon the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction.”
The DFA also stressed that the Philippines demands that Chinese vessels leave the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal and the Philippine exclusive economic zone immediately.
On March 23, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported that the CCG performed a dangerous maneuver against a Philippine vessel. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said that one of its vessels, which was part of the mission, was encircled by Chinese vessels.
The AFP also said Unaizah May 4 (UM4), which was carrying supplies for the Filipino troops in Ayungin Shoal, “sustained heavy damage” due to the ”continued blasting of water cannons” from two CCG vessels.
Tensions between China and the Philippines have increased recently as the two countries traded accusations such as alleged intrusion, shadowing, blocking, and performing dangerous maneuvers.
China claims most of the South China Sea, parts of which are also claimed by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
