Manila Bulletin
Philippines
National
PH won't adjust Ayungin resupply missions despite increased Chinese presence — NMC
Philippines
National
PH won't adjust Ayungin resupply missions despite increased Chinese presence — NMC
PH won't adjust Ayungin resupply missions despite increased Chinese presence — NMC
Published Sep 1, 2025 01:45 pm
At A Glance
- Lopez linked the heightened Chinese presence to Beijing's response after two of its vessels collided near Ayungin Shoal last month, describing it as an attempt to manage optics.
The Philippines will not alter its resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal despite a reported increase in Chinese vessel activities in the area, the National Maritime Council (NMC) said.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel aboard MV Lapu-Lapu sails toward BRP Sierra Madre (LS-57) in Ayungin Shoal, West Philippine Sea on May 16, 2025 to deliver essential supplies during a rotation and resupply mission. (Photo: AFP)
In an interview, NMC spokesperson Alexander Lopez told reporters in Manila that Chinese presence has always been a factor during missions, calling it routine.
“Yung mga sightings naman have been there every time meron tayo (Those sightings have always been there whenever we have missions). So we take it as a usual, natural thing for us to see those Chinese vessels,” he said on Monday, Sept. 1.
“And lahat naman yun meron tayong plano, whatever it takes (And for all of those, we already have plans, whatever it takes),” he added.
Lopez likewise said that the provisional understanding between Manila and Beijing remains intact, with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) continuing talks with its Chinese counterpart.
“Wala [ring adjustments]. Hindi naman nabago yung provisional understanding between our country and China (There are no adjustments. The provisional understanding between our country and China has not changed),” he said.
Chinese response to ‘embarrassment’
Lopez linked the heightened Chinese presence to Beijing’s response after two of its vessels collided near Ayungin Shoal last month, describing it as an attempt to manage optics.
“They want to play safe and twist narratives again para ipakita nila na (to show that) they’re still in control,” he said.
“But all of these things, we take them seriously. Hindi naman namin binabalewala ‘yon (We do not ignore those),” he added.
Lopez likewise confirmed that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy’s 164 warship and a Chinese coast guard vessel involved in collisions last month are no longer in the West Philippine Sea.
“Even yung Coast Guard na nabangga, na-monitor natin (that collided, we monitored it) somewhere in a naval base in maybe somewhere in Hainan,” he said.
“Even the 164, the Chinese Navy vessel, will be undergoing repairs (Even the 164, the Chinese Navy vessel, will be undergoing repairs),” he added.
New arbitral case still an option
Asked if China’s recent actions, such as laying fish nets and approaching the BRP Sierra Madre, violated the provisional understanding, Lopez deferred to the DFA.
“If ever there is a violation, I think the DFA will be the right agency to ask… kasi in every RORE (rotation and resupply mission), mayroong mga bagong pag-uusap (there are new discussions or arrangements),” he said.
Lopez also confirmed that filing another arbitration case against China remains possible, though still subject to executive review.
“Nasabi na ng DOJ (The Department of Justice already said) it’s an option,” he said.
“But kung ano yung ipa-file at kailan ipa-file, again, it depends na on the executive (But what case to file and when to file again depends on the executive),” he added.