Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Zen Hernandez

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday rejected China&#x27;s latest interpretation of the provisional arrangement governing Philippine resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal, reiterating that the agreement does not require Manila to seek Beijing&#x27;s permission to conduct operations or undertake activities aboard the BRP Sierra Madre.The statement came after Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan claimed that the latest confrontation at Ayungin Shoal stemmed from what Beijing believed was construction work aboard the grounded Philippine Navy ship, which he said violated the spirit of the provisional understanding between the two countries.The DFA, however, stressed that Ayungin Shoal is well within the Philippines&#x27; Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), a position affirmed by the 2016 Arbitral Award.&quot;As a low-tide elevation, Ayungin generates no maritime entitlement of its own and cannot be claimed by any other state,&quot; the department said. &quot;The Philippines alone holds the sovereign right to authorize any structure there, and Philippine vessels do not require permission to sail to Ayungin.&quot;The DFA also clarified the nature of the provisional understanding on the Philippines&#x27; rotation and resupply (RORE) missions to the BRP Sierra Madre, saying it has been repeatedly mischaracterized.According to the department, the arrangement is merely &quot;a set of principles and approaches&quot; observed by both countries to avoid misunderstanding and miscalculation during routine resupply missions.&quot;It is not a grant of or a request for permission to any foreign government, it does not recognize any foreign jurisdiction over Philippine waters, and was agreed on the express understanding that it does not prejudice national positions,&quot; the DFA said.The Department further emphasized that the understanding does not require the Philippines to seek China&#x27;s approval before conducting RORE missions, does not allow Chinese authorities to board or inspect Philippine vessels, and &quot;above all, it does not concede the Philippines&#x27; sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction.&quot;&quot;The Philippines&#x27; legal position, grounded in UNCLOS and vindicated by the Arbitral Tribunal, remains unchanged and non-negotiable,&quot; it added.The DFA also said the Philippines would continue carrying out rotation and resupply missions, including normal shipboard activities aboard the BRP Sierra Madre, &quot;as a matter of routine government function within Philippine jurisdiction&quot; and in the exercise of its sovereign rights under international law.Two members of the Philippine Navy were injured Monday, after China Coast Guard (CCG) personnel hit them with a wooden baton, when they reprimanded the latter for circling BRP Sierra Madre while taking photos and videos.China has disputed the Philippine account of events and reiterated its claim, that the shoal is part of its territory.Chinese Ambassador Jing meanwhile explained that the CCG were merely taking photos and videos of the alleged construction.&quot;They&#x27;re building some kind of barrier nets,&quot; Jing told reporters after being summoned by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Malacañang. &quot;Because that&#x27;s against the spirit of our provisional agreement. That is, no new construction, keep the status quo.&quot;Retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio likewise rejected China&#x27;s interpretation, reiterating that the 2016 Arbitral Award affirmed Ayungin Shoal as part of the Philippines&#x27; EEZ and continental shelf, giving the Philippines the sovereign rights to exploit its natural resources and authorize structures in the area. He also maintained that any agreement with China cannot diminish or alter the country&#x27;s rights under UNCLOS and the arbitral ruling.Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela likewise said Jing&#x27;s remarks amounted to an admission that China Coast Guard personnel deliberately approached &quot;a commissioned vessel of the Philippine Navy, inside the Philippines&#x27; exclusive economic zone, to conduct what amounts to an inspection of our own ship.&quot;Under UNCLOS, commissioned naval vessels enjoy sovereign immunity and are not subject to the jurisdiction or inspection of another state.

The Department of Foreign Affairs rejected China's latest interpretation of the provisional arrangement governing Philippine resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal.

The Department of Foreign Affairs rejected China's latest interpretation of the provisional arrangement governing Philippine resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal.

DFA rejects China's interpretation of Ayungin agreement, reaffirms Philippine sovereign rights

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DFA rejects China's interpretation of Ayungin agreement, reaffirms Philippine sovereign rights

Zen Hernandez,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 23, 2026 08:25 PM PHT

Read More:

Philippines

China

US

DFA

West Philippine Sea

South China Sea

Ayungin Shoal

Second Thomas Shoal

BRP Sierra Madre

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