A DAY after the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced an “understanding” on a temporary arrangement for the Philippine government’s rotation and resupply (RORE) mission, China cited the need for their permission before sailing to the Ayungin Shoal.
This comes as the DFA disputed a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry regarding the need for prior notification and on-site confirmation before conducting resupply missions for the Filipino soldiers stationed at the grounded BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal which is 105 nautical miles west off Palawan.
“The (Chinese) spokesperson’s statement… regarding prior notification and on-site confirmation is inaccurate,” the DFA said a day after claiming to have forged an “understanding” with China insofar as the resupply missions are concerned.
Interestingly, DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza admitted that the arrangement is not covered by any document signed by both parties. According to her, the deal was made through an “exchange of notes.”
The Chinese Foreign Ministry, through the Chinese Embassy in Manila, reiterated its “principled” positions, which include asking the Philippines government to tow away the rusting warship, which serves as a military outpost in the West Philippine Sea.
“Between now and when the warship is towed away, should the Philippines need to send living necessities to the personnel living on the warship, China is willing to allow it in a humanitarian spirit if the Philippines informs China in advance and after on-site verification is conducted. China will monitor the entire resupply process,” part of the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s statement reads.
DFA’s counterpart added that Beijing would “absolutely” reject and “resolutely stop” any attempt by Manila to send large amounts of construction materials to the warship and build fixed facilities or permanent outposts.
“On the basis of the above principled position, China recently had a series of consultations with the Philippines on managing the situation at Ren’ai Jiao (Beijing’s name for Ayungin Shoal) and reached a provisional arrangement with the Philippines on humanitarian resupply of living necessities. The two sides agreed to jointly manage maritime differences and work for de-escalation in the South China Sea,” it said.
After getting hold of a copy of the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s statement, the DFA called out the “inaccuracy” of the prior notification and on-site confirmation conditions.
“The principles and approaches laid out in the agreement were reached through a series of careful and meticulous consultations between both sides that paved the way for a convergence of ideas without compromising national positions.”
The Philippines, the DFA added, will continue asserting its rights and jurisdiction in its maritime zone, including in Ayungin Shoal, which is within its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.
“Nonetheless, in our desire to de-escalate the situation in the South China Sea and to manage differences in a peaceful manner, we emphasize that the agreement was done in good faith and the Philippines remains ready to implement it. We urge China to do the same,” the DFA stressed. (ANGEL F. JOSE)
