DFA: Ayungin resupply arrangement requires no permission from China
Government says arrangement ensures safe and uninterrupted resupply operations while upholding the Philippines' sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea
Published Aug 7, 2026 12:22 pm
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Updated Aug 7, 2026 01:24 pm
At A Glance
- The DFA said the provisional understanding prevents misunderstandings at sea and ensures the safe conduct of RORE missions to BRP Sierra Madre.
- The department stressed that the arrangement does not require the AFP to seek China's permission and does not allow the boarding or inspection of Philippine vessels.
- The DFA invited former Associate Justice Antonio Carpio to propose a viable alternative that would ensure the safe and timely conduct of resupply and troop rotation missions while upholding Philippine sovereign rights.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday, Aug. 7, defended the government's provisional understanding governing resupply missions to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, saying it neither requires the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to seek permission from China nor allows the boarding and inspection of Philippine vessels.
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Spokesperson for Maritime Affairs Rogelio Villanueva Jr. defended the government's provisional understanding governing resupply missions to BRP Sierra Madre. (Photo courtesy of DFA)
In a statement, DFA Spokesperson for Maritime Affairs Rogelio Villanueva Jr. said the arrangement was crafted to prevent incidents and miscalculations at sea while ensuring the uninterrupted delivery of supplies and personnel to the grounded naval outpost.
"The Provisional Understanding is intended to avoid misunderstanding and miscalculation at sea, does not require the AFP to seek permission, nor involve the boarding and inspection of its vessels during RORE missions," Villanueva said.
He stressed that the DFA "will always uphold the country's sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), as affirmed by the 2016 Arbitral Award."
Arrangement protects Philippine rights
The statement came in response to criticism from former Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, who questioned the government's handling of resupply operations in the West Philippine Sea.
Earlier, Carpio warned that the DFA's provisional understanding with China regarding resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal could erode the Philippines' rights under the 2016 Arbitral Award. He also strongly opposed expanding the arrangement across the broader West Philippine Sea.
Carpio urged to propose alternative
However, Villanueva urged Carpio to propose a workable alternative that would allow the military to continue carrying out its missions safely and efficiently.
"Instead of criticizing government actions, we invite former SC Associate Justice Antonio Carpio to offer the AFP any viable alternative that can ensure the continued efficient, timely, and safe conduct of resupply missions that provide essential supplies and facilitate the regular rotation of our troops aboard BRP Sierra Madre," he said.
The DFA maintained that the provisional understanding supports the continued conduct of regular rotation and resupply (RORE) missions while protecting Philippine personnel stationed aboard BRP Sierra Madre, which serves as the country's military outpost in Ayungin Shoal.
The department reiterated that the Philippines remains committed to defending its lawful rights and maritime entitlements in the West Philippine Sea, consistent with the landmark 2016 Arbitral Award, which invalidated China's sweeping claims under its so-called nine-dash line.