Arroyo denies deal with China to remove BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin

ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="This aerial photograph taken from a military aircraft shows the dilapidated Sierra Madre ship of the Philippine Navy anchored near Ayungin shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) with Philippine soldiers on-board to secure the perimeter in the Spratly group of islands in the South China Sea, west of Palawan, on May 11, 2015. The Spratlys are considered a potential Asian flashpoint, and claimant nations including the Philippines have expressed alarm as China has embarked on massive reclamation activity. Ritchie B. Tongo, Pool/AFP " src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/afp/08/08/ayungin-shoal-afp-08082023.jpg"/><figcaption>This aerial photograph taken from a military aircraft shows the dilapidated Sierra Madre ship of the Philippine Navy anchored near Ayungin shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) with Philippine soldiers on-board to secure the perimeter in the Spratly group of islands in the South China Sea, west of Palawan, on May 11, 2015. The Spratlys are considered a potential Asian flashpoint, and claimant nations including the Philippines have expressed alarm as China has embarked on massive reclamation activity. Ritchie B. Tongo, Pool/AFP</figcaption></figure></div>Former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has denied that her administration agreed to remove BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal.In a statement released on Saturday, the House Deputy Speaker said she made no such promise &quot;to China or any other country.&quot;The World War II-era ship, which has been grounded in 1999 at Ayungin Shoal, serves as the country&#x27;s outpost in the West Philippine Sea. The shoal is located in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines. <ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/19/23/afp-resupply-mission-for-brp-sierra-madre-happening-soon">AFP says resupply mission for BRP Sierra Madre happening ‘soon’</a></li></ul>&quot;First, I never made such a promise to China or any other country. Second, I never authorized any of my government officials to make such a promise,&quot; said the Pampanga representative.&quot;Third, I only became aware of such claims recently, when the matter surfaced in public discussions.&quot;Arroyo served as Philippine President from 2001 to 2010. She was succeeded by the late Benigno &quot;Noynoy&quot; Aquino III.&quot;Beyond this, I will not make any further comment, in order to allow our foreign affairs officials to deal with it with a minimum of distraction,&quot; she said. <ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/08/15/23/defense-chief-junks-alleged-agreement-to-remove-brp-sierra-madre">Defense chief junks alleged agreement to remove BRP Sierra Madre</a></li></ul>The issue flared up anew after the Chinese Coast Guard blocked two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels from a resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre last August 5.

Former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has denied that her administration agreed to remove BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal.

Arroyo denies deal with China to remove BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin | ABS-CBN

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Arroyo denies deal with China to remove BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin

Arroyo denies deal with China to remove BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin

ABS-CBN News

Published Aug 19, 2023 10:11 PM PHT

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Updated Aug 20, 2023 04:09 PM PHT

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Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

Ayungin Shoal

BRP Sierra Madre

Philippine Coast Guard

China

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