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Fishermen who joined the second Atin Ito-led civilian mission to Scarborough Shoal on May 16, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

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Scarborough

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/172161733992820240516-atin-ito-wps-MT-52.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Fishermen who joined the second Atin Ito-led civilian mission to Scarborough Shoal on May 16, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News "/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"><span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(51, 51, 51);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:pre-wrap;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">Fishermen who joined the second Atin Ito-led civilian mission to Scarborough Shoal on May 16, 2024. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</em></span><em> </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA – The Philippines will “continue to assert our rights” after agreeing with China on an “arrangement” for resupplying Filipino troops stationed on Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Monday.</p><p>The deal was “concluded with the clear understanding by both sides that it will not prejudice our respective national positions,” said DFA Spokesperson Ambassador Teresita Daza.</p><p>“For the Philippines, this means that we will continue to assert our rights and jurisdiction in our maritime zones as entitled under UNCLOS, including in Ayungin Shoal which is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf,” Daza said.</p><p>“Nonetheless, in our desire to de-escalate the situation in the South China Sea and to manage differences in a peaceful manner, we emphasize that the agreement was done in good faith and the Philippines remains ready to implement it. We urge China to do the same,” she said in a statement. </p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/7/21/china-oks-resupply-missions-to-brp-sierra-madre-won-t-allow-transport-of-construction-materials-705">China OKs PH resupply missions to BRP Sierra Madre</a></div><p>Daza added that her Chinese counterpart’s remark about prior notification and on-site confirmation under the deal was “inaccurate.”</p><p>“I want to stress that the agreement was concluded with the clear understanding by both sides that it will not prejudice our respective national positions,” Daza said.</p><p>Ayungin Shoal has been a focus of clashes between Chinese and Philippine ships in recent months as Beijing steps up efforts to push its claims to almost the entire South China Sea, including parts of the West Philippine Sea.</p><p>A Filipino sailor lost a thumb in the latest June 17 confrontation when Chinese coast guard members <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/world/2024/6/20/chinese-sailors-wield-sticks-axe-in-disputed-sea-clash-with-philippines-1234">wielding knives, sticks and an ax</a> foiled a Philippine Navy attempt to resupply its troops.</p><p>The Philippines and China earlier this month agreed to increase the number of communication channels to resolve maritime disagreements between them.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/7/2/china-ph-agree-to-deescalate-tensions-in-west-philippine-sea-1855">China, PH agree to ease tensions in West Philippine Sea</a></div><p>A handful of Filipino troops are stationed on the rusty BRP Sierra Madre warship that was deliberately grounded on Ayungin Shoal in 1999 to assert Manila&#x27;s claims to the area.</p><p>They require frequent resupplies for food, water and other necessities as well as transport for personnel rotations.</p><p>Earlier Sunday, Manila said the resupply missions would remain a Philippine operation, after Washington vowed to &quot;do what is necessary&quot; to support them.</p><p>&quot;As far as the RORE (rotation and resupply mission) is concerned, we&#x27;re keeping it as a purely Philippine operation utilizing Philippine ships, personnel and leadership,&quot; National Security Council assistant director-general Jonathan Malaya told AFP.</p><p>&quot;That may change depending on the guidance from top management but that&#x27;s the direction or policy at present.&quot;</p><p>Malaya&#x27;s remarks came after White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the United States &quot;will do what is necessary&quot; to ensure the Philippines can continue to resupply its troops on the contested atoll.</p><p>&quot;We will continue to support the Philippines and stand behind them as they take steps to be able to ensure that,&quot; Sullivan said during the Aspen Security Forum conference in Colorado.</p><p>Malaya said the National Security Council appreciated the US offer and the Philippines would continue consultations as treaty allies.</p><p>Manila has a mutual defense pact with the United States which requires both parties to come to the other&#x27;s defense in case of an &quot;armed attack&quot; against vessels, aircraft, military and coast guard anywhere in the Pacific theater, which Washington says includes the South China Sea.</p><div style="box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px 0px 9px;line-height:21px;overflow-wrap:break-word"><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/7/21/marcos-expected-to-tackle-west-ph-sea-food-prices-in-3rd-sona-1828" style="box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(93, 155, 192);text-decoration:none">Marcos expected to tackle West PH Sea, food prices in 3rd SONA</a><br style="box-sizing:border-box"/><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/7/18/how-did-the-marcos-jr-administration-combat-the-greatest-threat-to-food-security-2300" style="box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(93, 155, 192);text-decoration:none">How did the Marcos Jr. admin combat the greatest threat to food security?</a></div><div><strong>– With a report from Agence France-Presse</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div>

<p>The Philippines will “continue to assert our rights” after agreeing with China on an “arrangement” for resupplying Filipino troops stationed on Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Monday.</p>

The Philippines will “continue to assert our rights” after agreeing with China on an “arrangement” for resupplying Filipino troops stationed on Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Monday.

Philippines to ‘continue to assert rights’ after deal with China on resupply missions, says DFA

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Philippines to ‘continue to assert rights’ after deal with China on resupply missions, says DFA

ABS-CBN News

Published July 22, 2024 11:13 AM PHT

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Updated July 22, 2024 01:03 PM PHT

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