AFP completes Ayungin Shoal resupply mission without incident

Metro Manila, Philippines – For the sixth straight time, the Philippines successfully conducted its resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal without any untoward incident.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Col. Francel Padilla told NewsWatch Plus that while some Chinese vessels were spotted “lurking” in the area, there was no interference from the Chinese side during the mission on Tuesday, March 4.

"Normally we see them lurking on the sidelines but hindi naman po sila nag-interfere [but they did not interfere] and we were able to successfully conduct our mission," said Padilla.

She added the AFP continues to provide logistical and operational support to its personnel despite the challenging environment in the West Philippine Sea.

Manila and Beijing reached a provisional understanding in Ayungin Shoal last year to de-escalate tensions in the South China Sea and manage differences through dialogue and consultation, agreeing that the arrangement will not prejudice each other’s positions.

Tensions continue to surround the resupply and rotation missions of Philippine forces to the World War II warship amid increasing Chinese aggressions in the West Philippine Sea.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said in an exclusive interview with NewsWatch Plus that the Philippines is open to another provisional deal with China, similar to the Ayungin Shoal arrangement, to manage tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

Manalo noted that the situation in Ayungin, an atoll within the country’s exclusive economic zone, is “relatively quiet” after the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) entered into a provisional understanding with Beijing on resupply missions to the grounded BRP Sierra Madre, which serves as a military outpost.

“The last three or four supply missions have proceeded without any incident. And that, of course, is directly related to the provisional understanding that we reached with China,” said Manalo.

He emphasized that the deal made it clear that the positions of both countries have not been compromised.

"So we have a provisional understanding which, and please note the word provisional, and in this provisional understanding, it was made clear that none of the positions of either country would be affected. So in other words, ang position natin is maintained," he added.

The DFA chief noted that expanding the deal beyond Ayungin will need further study and will depend on the situation.

"Well, you know, that depends on the issue. You can't really close the door, but we have to see that maybe it might be useful to look into it. So before you proceed, you have to be sure that the other side is also willing. But as I said, at the moment I'm only speculating. It all depends on how situations develop," said Manalo.

Former Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio previously said that the provisional understanding between the Philippines and China for Ayungin Shoal should end soon, as it might expand China's interpretation to include the entire West Philippine Sea.