Philippines Asserts Legitimacy of Resupply Mission in Ayungin Shoal Against Chinese Claims

Manila, Philippines – Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza affirmed on Thursday that the Philippines’ resupply missions in Ayungin Shoal are legitimate activities within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and in line with international law. This statement was in response to Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin’s claim that Filipino vessels entered the area without China’s permission, accusing the Philippines of infringing on Beijing’s sovereignty.

According to Philippines News Agency, these operations, including the maintenance of the BRP Sierra Madre, are conducted under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and are within the Philippines’ rights. She contested the notion that these activities could be seen as a threat to China. The BRP Sierra Madre, a commissioned Philippine naval vessel, has been stationed in Ayungin Shoal since 1999, marking a Philippine government presence in response to China’s 1995 illegal occupation of Panganiban Reef (Mischief Reef), which predates the 2002 Declaration of the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.

Daza highlighted that Panganiban Reef, along with several other reefs such as Calderon, Kagitingan, Burgos, McKennan, Johnson, and Zamora, has been transformed into militarized artificial islands by China. She called for China to dismantle these illegal structures, halt further reclamations in the South China Sea, and be accountable for the damages caused by these actions.

Regarding future resupply missions, Daza emphasized that the Philippine government would not provide China with prior notification, reaffirming the country’s sovereignty over its EEZ and continental shelf, including the area around Ayungin Shoal. She asserted that the Philippines’ stance and actions in the South China Sea are guided by UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award.

Daza also clarified the geographical positioning of Ayungin Shoal, noting its proximity to the Philippine island of Palawan and its distance from the Paracels and the Chinese mainland, which falls beyond the 200 nautical mile limit for an EEZ under UNCLOS. She underscored that by UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitration Award, Ayungin Shoal is within the Philippines’ EEZ and continental shelf, over which the Philippines has sovereign rights and jurisdiction.

Daza concluded that China’s claims, based on the so-called nine-dashed line (now ten-dashed line), are not lawful under UNCLOS, which supersedes any historic rights or other claims exceeding UNCLOS limits.