19-8-2023 (MANILA) The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is making a strong appeal to the China Coast Guard (CCG) to refrain from any actions that could disrupt the upcoming resupply mission to the troops stationed at Ayungin Shoal aboard the BRP Sierra Madre.
While the first phase of the resupply mission has been successfully carried out, the second phase is slated for the forthcoming two weeks, as disclosed by AFP spokesperson Colonel Medel Aguilar during a news forum in Quezon City on Saturday.
Aguilar cautioned that should the China Coast Guard choose to disregard this call, the AFP will be closely monitoring developments.
The initial attempt at resupplying the BRP Sierra Madre was marred by an incident on August 5, when CCG vessels employed water cannons against Philippine Coast Guard ships escorting the resupply boats near Ayungin Shoal.
In spite of the events of August 5, Aguilar emphasized that the AFP is unwavering in its commitment to ensure the safety and well-being of its personnel stationed on the BRP Sierra Madre.
“We are, therefore, committed to the conduct of another RoRe (rotation and resupply) mission for our personnel and to maintain our presence in Ayungin Shoal. This exercise of our sovereign rights and jurisdiction is a testament to our firm belief in the rules-based international order that underpins regional peace and stability,” he asserted.
While advocating for peaceful conflict resolution, Aguilar underscored the determination to safeguard the nation’s maritime rights.
He called upon all relevant parties to adhere to their obligations under international law and show respect for the Philippines’ sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction over its maritime zones.
“Ayungin Shoal holds a strategic importance for the Philippines and serves as a fishing ground for our fishermen. Beyond its practical significance, the RoRe mission to the shoal signifies our unwavering resolve to counter threats and coercion and our dedication to upholding the rule of law,” he added.
Ayungin Shoal, a submerged reef in the Spratly Islands, falls within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, firmly establishing the country’s sovereignty.
The BRP Sierra Madre, an aging World War II-era vessel, was deliberately grounded by the Philippine Navy at Ayungin Shoal, also known as Second Thomas Shoal, in 1999. It functions as the Philippines’ outpost in the West Philippine Sea.
The small contingent of Filipino marines stationed on the deteriorating ship, tasked with asserting the Philippines’ territorial claims, relies on resupply missions to sustain their remote assignment.
Since 2020, the Philippine government has lodged 445 diplomatic protests against China’s presence and actions in the West Philippine Sea, including 35 protests filed this year. Beijing asserts control over nearly the entire South China Sea, a vital trade route responsible for trillions of dollars in commerce annually, and has disregarded a 2016 international court ruling that discredits its territorial claims.
