The Philippine Coast Guard invoked international law and the country’s exclusive economic zone when it answered the radio challenges transmitted by its Chinese counterparts during the successful resupply mission on Tuesday to the Ayungin Shoal.
According to Chino Gaston and Jun Veneracion’s report on “24 Oras,” videos showed a Chinese Coast Guard ship tailing a Philippine supply boat, and CCG vessels crossing the path of a PCG boat.
The resupply mission nonetheless reached the crew of the BRP Sierra Madre, the rundown Navy ship aground in the Ayungin Shoal, despite the Chinese’ radio challenge and maneuvers to block PCG ships.
“China has indisputable authority over the Nanshan islands, including Ren’ai reef and its adjacent waters,” said CCG radio challenge received by the BRP Cabra.
The BRP Sindangan also received the same message.
The PCG responded by saying it was conducting lawful routine maritime patrol within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
“In accordance with international and Philippine national laws, we are proceeding according to our planned route,” PCG said.
The exchange happened near the Sabina Shoal, 248 kilometers from Palawan, and before reaching Ayungin Shoal, 315 kilometers away from Palawan.
Both areas are well within the EEZ of the Philippines.
“In the spirit of humanism, we only permit your ship carrying food and other necessary living materials and the rotating personnel without construction materials to the illegally grounded vessel. Over,” went another Chinese radio challenge.
The Chinese side had been opposing the transportation of construction materials for the repair of the BRP Sierra Madre, the stranded ship in the Ayungin Shoal that serves as an outpost of the Philippines.
Undeterred, the PCG said, “You are within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone. Your action will affect Philippine-China relations and will be reported to the concerned authorities. Over.”
The CCG said Philippine government vessels were not allowed to enter and warned PCG to leave or “otherwise, you’ll bear full responsibility for all the consequences.”
The PCG asked them to stay clear from their passage to avoid a collision.
“The David and Goliath optics, every time we capture that photo, they are being widely condemned in different parts of the globe, so they now modified their style, they deployed smaller vessels,” said PCG spokesperson on the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela.
A plane with a “navy” sign was hovering around the area, which is a P-8 Poseidon Plane of the US Navy, according to AFPTV.
The two resupply ships from the Philippines were able to get through the mission and successfully distributed the supply and were able to change the soldiers assigned to the BRP Sierra Madre.
Humanitarian reasons
Earlier today, PCG disagreed with China’s claim that the latter only allowed the latest resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal for humanitarian reasons.
“The videos and the photos are telling that there’s no humanitarian consideration or humanist consideration that they have extended. They are willing to block the resupply boats of the Philippine government,” Tarriela said.
He said AFP would handle the investigation on how China knows the contents of the resupply ships, which are under the operational control of the AFP Western Command.
In this video from AFP Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner Jr., it can be seen that a China Coast Guard ship activated its water cannons.
“We can say that they’re flexing their muscles. Parang ipinapakita nila na nandito kami at ready kaming gamiting itong mga water cannons,” Brawner said.
He denied that the mission was successful since there was a discussion with China.
“We don’t need to make arrangements or ask permission from them because unang-unang ang barko na yan commissioned ship of the Philippine Navy,” he added.
The civilian ships Unaizah 1 and Unaizah 2 are loaded with supplies brought to BRP Sierra Madre.
He added that they could use the Philippine Navy ship, but not for now, to not increase the tension.
Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Ayungin is part of the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile EEZ.
In July 2016, based on a case filed by the Philippines, the UN Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague junked China’s nine-dash line claim covering the entire South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea. China has refused to acknowledge the ruling. —Sherylin Untalan/NB, GMA Integrated News
