File photo. An aerial view shows the BRP Sierra Madre on the contested Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin, in the South China Sea, March 9, 2023. (INQUIRER FILES)
MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) suspended a rotation and resupply (RoRe) mission to Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal after Chinese coast guard and naval vessels interfered with the Philippine convoy, citing the risk of escalation.
AFP spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad (Reserve) said on Friday that three People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warships and five China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels interfered with the routine mission on Thursday.
The M/V Lapu-Lapu and three Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard support vessels were still about 111 kilometers from Ayungin Shoal when they were hindered by the Chinese vessels.
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READ: China accuses PH of trespassing in Ayungin Shoal
“Given the possibility of escalation that could endanger our personnel and vessels, the RoRe mission was temporarily suspended,” Trinidad said in a statement.
The mission was meant to deliver supplies and rotate personnel stationed aboard the BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal.
‘Legitimate humanitarian mission’
In a separate statement Friday, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) also denounced the interference by the CCG and PLAN.
“Navy vessels hindered a routine mission to deliver essential supplies to, and rotate the personnel stationed aboard BRP Sierra Madre (LS57),” the task force said. “They put Filipino personnel at risk and obstructed a legitimate humanitarian and sustainment operation.”
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“The NTF-WPS calls on the China Coast Guard and the PLA Navy to immediately cease interfering with lawful Philippine RoRe missions,” it added.
It said the actions were inconsistent with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) and the 2016 arbitral award, which affirmed the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction in its exclusive economic zone, including Ayungin Shoal.
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Trinidad, meanwhile, described the Chinese vessels’ actions as “irresponsible” and “reckless,” saying they were also inconsistent with collision-prevention rules at sea.
“The safety of our personnel remains paramount, nevertheless these actions will not deter the AFP from performing its mission,” Trinidad said.
READ: DFA: Ayungin deal does not require China’s approval for PH missions
The AFP said it would continue to sustain personnel aboard the BRP Sierra Madre and called on the PLAN and CCG to “cease these dangerous actions and exercise restraint.”
The Philippines deliberately grounded the BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal in 1999 and has since maintained troops aboard the vessel to assert its claim over the feature.
Ayungin Shoal lies about 194 kilometers west of Palawan within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.
Manila and Beijing reached a provisional understanding in July 2024 aimed at managing differences over rotation and resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre following a series of confrontations at the shoal.
The Philippines has maintained that the arrangement does not require China’s permission to conduct its missions at Ayungin.
The 2016 arbitral tribunal ruled that Ayungin Shoal is a low-tide elevation within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. China has rejected the ruling. /mr
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