The Philippines on Monday reiterated that China has no legal authority or basis to enforce anything in the West Philippine Sea.
In a press conference, National Security Council spokesperson Jonathan Malaya lambasted China’s statements that the Philippines should ask permission when conducting a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal.
“Why should we do so? Ayungin Shoal is not Hainan Island. Moreover, their claim that their actions were professional and legitimate collapses in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary,” he said.
Malaya’s remarks came after Beijing said Manila’s intrusion into the waters off Ayungin Shoal had resulted in the bumping of a Chinese ship with the Philippine resupply boat Unaiza May 2 last 22 October.
But for the Philippines, it was the CCG’s “dangerous, irresponsible and illegal blocking maneuvers”— in consort with the Chinese maritime militia—that led to the collision between the vessels.
On Sunday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines reported that the country’s resupply boat collided with the CCG vessel approximately 13.5 nautical miles en route to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.
AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar said there were five CCG vessels and that the Chinese maritime militia had initially shadowed and harassed Unaiza May 2 “to the point of restricting its movement, and then the collision happened.”
Malaya underscored: “Despite provocations, we continue to proceed in this manner, precisely because — by continuing to resupply the troops in Ayungin shoal we are actually implementing the 2015 arbitral ruling.”
“Because this is our way of asserting our rights so no matter what odds we face we will continue what is necessary and we will supply our troops in Ayungin Shoal no matter the overwhelming odds,” he added.
On Monday, the Department of Foreign Affairs summoned Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian to discuss the latest incident in Ayungin shoal. The Chinese official was apparently out of town, hence he was represented by his Deputy Chief of Mission, Zhou Zhiyong.
In a statement, the Chinese embassy said Zhou conveyed the “strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition of the Chinese side to the Philippine side over its vessels’ intruding the waters of Ren’ai Jiao on October 22.”
Zhou also insisted that Ren’ai Jiao (Ayungin shoal) is part of China’s Nansha Qundao and is under China’s territory.
“Zhou said China once again urges the Philippines to take seriously China’s grave concerns, honor its promise, stop making provocations at sea, stop making dangerous moves, stop groundlessly attacking and slandering China, and to tow away the illegally grounded warship as soon as possible so that the peace and stability of the South China Sea will not be jeopardized and the common interests of countries in the region will not be affected,” the embassy statement read.
Malaya refuted China’s statement, saying China’s “provocative and irresponsible actions” would have led to more dangerous circumstances.
“The statements made by China are not supported by evidence. You know parang kinuha lang sa hangin (it seems like they got it in the air). As we’ve shown you specifically through videos and photos, the Unaiza May 2 was moving in a regular direction and it was the Chinese Coast Guard vessel that blocked the path,” he said.
“We are relieved and thankful that no Filipino personnel were harmed, but we are concerned by the escalation and provocations by Chinese vessels who have no business being in the WPS,” he added.
He stressed that the Philippines will never be deterred by China’s “provocative actions.”
“The China Coast Guard’s claim that they were conducting law enforcement activities have no or zero basis whatsoever – Ayungin Shoal is well within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone,” said Malaya.
“Therefore, China has no legal authority or basis to enforce anything in those waters and in the entire West Philippine Sea,” he added.