The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal will continue under Manila’s Provisional Understanding with Beijing, despite reports of increased Chinese vessel activity in the area.

“The rotation and resupply (RORE) missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal are routine humanitarian operations undertaken by the Philippines in the exercise of its sovereignty and jurisdiction,” the DFA said in a message on Friday evening, Aug. 22.

It added that the Provisional Understanding between the Philippines and China has paved the way for the conduct of such RORE missions “without any untoward incidents.”

“The Philippines will continue to implement the Provisional Understanding as agreed,” the DFA said.

The agency confirmed it was aware of the reported spike in Chinese presence, including coast guard and militia vessels, near the shoal.

Ayungin Shoal is a low-tide elevation within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf.

“The Philippines will continue to monitor the area in the exercise of its mandate to safeguard Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction, and ensure the safety and welfare of our troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre,” the DFA said.

The BRP Sierra Madre, a grounded Navy ship since 1999, serves as the Philippines’ outpost in Ayungin Shoal, where a small contingent of Marines is stationed.

The shoal, located about 105 nautical miles from Palawan, is part of the Spratly Islands and has long been a flashpoint in tensions between the Philippines and China.

The Philippines maintains that Ayungin lies well within its 200-nautical-mile EEZ, as recognized by the 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling that invalidated China’s sweeping nine-dash line claim.