Nine Chinese vessels were monitored by Philippine authorities during the July 27 rotation and resupply (RORE) mission to BRP Sierra Madre outpost in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, the National Security Council (NSC) said on Sunday, July 28.

However, the four China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels, three People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) ships, and two Chinese maritime militia (CMM) boats that were spotted did not interfere with the resupply mission carried out by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and supported by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

“During the entire duration of the mission, the Chinese vessels maintained their distance and did not undertake any action to disrupt the RORE,” National Security Council (NSC) Asst. Director General Jonathan Malaya said.

Malaya, who also acts as the spokesperson of the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS), said the resupply mission was “successful”. Civilian vessel ML Lapu-Lapu brought the much-needed food and supplies, and rotated Filipino soldiers tasked to man the BRP Sierra Madre. They were escorted by PCG vessel BRP Cape Engaño.

The recent RORE was the first mission conducted by the AFP after the Philippines and China agreed to deescalate the tension in the WPS following the ninth bilateral consultative mechanism (BCM) meeting in Manila earlier this month.

Prior to this, the last resupply mission was on June 17 where a Filipino sailor lost his thumb after a Philippine resupply boat was intentionally rammed at high speed by a CCG boat. 

Chinese forces also threatened the Filipino troops with bladed weapons, seized their firearms, and destroyed communications and navigational equipment of the Filipinos.

“The Philippines agreed to the ‘provisional understanding’ with the PRC [People’s Republic of China] over the resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal for the simple reason of deescalating tensions and preventing misunderstanding and miscalculations at sea,” Malaya said.

“The understanding explicitly does not prejudice the national position of the Philippines. The guidance of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. is clear: The Philippines is committed to the cause of peace but we will not be deterred nor will we yield. We are, nonetheless, committed to address and manage difficult issues through dialogue and diplomacy,” he added.

Malaya said that the NSC expects China to adhere to the provisions of the two countries’ understanding.

“Both sides should deal with differences in a constructive manner and never through coercion and intimidation,” he noted.

He also clarified that the Philippines “did not and will never seek permission” from China to conduct resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal. 

He said that there was boarding and inspection by the Chinese Coast Guard as claimed by the Chinese Foreign Ministry in its statement on Saturday.

“Notwithstanding the ‘provisional understanding’ with the PRC, the position of the Philippines is steadfast, unwavering, and has not changed,” Malaya insisted.

“Ayungin Shoal is a low tide elevation not subject to sovereignty claims by the PRC as ruled by the Arbitral Tribunal in its 2016 Award. It falls within the Exclusive Economic Zone and continental shelf of the Philippines, therefore our continued presence and activities at the said shoal is lawful and legitimate as it is in accordance with international law, particularly UNCLOS [United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea],” he said.