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Philippines-China agreement reached on Second Thomas Shoal-Department of Foreign Affairs

“Both sides continue to recognize the need to de-escalate the situation in the South China Sea and manage differences through dialogue and consultation and agree that the agreement will not prejudice each other’s positions in the South China Sea,” the DFA said in a statement.

Jane Bautista

Jane Bautista

Philippine Daily Inquirer

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The BRP Sierra Madre, a Navy warship that now serves as military outpost, keeps watch over Ayungin (Second Thomas), located within the country’s exclusive economic zone. Nearby are Chinese coast guard and militia vessels in this shot taken on February 21, 2023, during an aerial surveillance by the Philippine Coast Guard. PHOTO: PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER

July 22, 2024

MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Sunday said the Philippines and China have reached an “understanding” on the “temporary arrangement” for the rotation and resupply (Rore) missions of daily necessities to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.

The DFA, however, did not elaborate on the specifics of the supposed deal.

BRP Sierra Madre, a dilapidated Navy ship deliberately grounded on the shoal in 1999, is home to a small contingent of Filipino troops and serves as an outpost securing the country’s claims in the West Philippine Sea.

“Both sides continue to recognize the need to de-escalate the situation in the South China Sea and manage differences through dialogue and consultation and agree that the agreement will not prejudice each other’s positions in the South China Sea,” the DFA said in a statement.

The agreement was reached after a series of consultations following the “frank and constructive discussions” between the two countries during the 9th Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea in Manila on July 2, the DFA added.

The department earlier disclosed that Foreign Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro represented the country during the meeting with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong.

“In her comments, Undersecretary Lazaro underscored to her counterpart that the Philippines will be relentless in protecting its interests and upholding its sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea,” it said.

‘Reckless, illegal’ actions

Ayungin Shoal lies about 200 kilometers from the western island of Palawan and more than 1,000 km from China’s nearest major landmass, Hainan island.

It has been a focus of escalating confrontations between Chinese and Philippine ships as Beijing steps up efforts to push its claims to the South China Sea.

Filipino soldiers stationed at the crumbling BRP Sierra Madre require frequent resupplies for food, water and other necessities as well as transport for personnel rotations.

However, China deploys coast guard and other boats to patrol the waters around the shoal to prevent Philippine resupply operations, and has also turned several reefs in the area into artificial militarized islands.

A Filipino sailor lost a thumb during the latest June 17 clash when Chinese coast guard members wielding knives, sticks and an ax foiled a Philippine Navy attempt to resupply its troops.

Beijing’s aggressiveness in the South China Sea began to escalate last year after the Philippines cozied up to the United States, including the grant to Washington of greater access to four more military bases under the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement.

In February 2023, Manila accused China’s coast guard of directing a “military-grade laser” at one of its ships supporting a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal, prompting President Marcos to summon China’s ambassador.

In August, China’s coast guard blocked and fired a water cannon against a supply boat transporting food for troops there.

In March this year, the government again called out China for the “reckless and illegal” actions of its coast guard which led to a collision between Chinese and Philippine vessels, damaging the latter and injuring some of its crew.

Philippine operations

Also on Sunday, the National Security Council (NSC) said Manila’s resupply missions to troops on the disputed South China Sea atoll will remain purely Philippine operations, after Washington vowed to “do what is necessary” to support them.

“As far as the [Rore] is concerned, we’re keeping it as a purely Philippine operation utilizing Philippine ships, personnel and leadership,” NSC spokesperson and Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya told Agence France-Presse (AFP).

“That may change depending on the guidance from top management but that’s the direction or policy at present,” he said.

Malaya’s remarks came after White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the United States “will do what is necessary” to ensure the Philippines can continue to resupply its troops on the contested atoll.

“We will continue to support the Philippines and stand behind them as they take steps to be able to ensure that,” Sullivan said during the Aspen Security Forum conference in Colorado.

Malaya said the NSC appreciated the US offer and the Philippines would continue consultations as treaty allies.

Manila has a mutual defense pact with the United States which requires both parties to come to the other’s defense in case of an “armed attack” against vessels, aircraft, military and coast guard anywhere in the Pacific theater, which Washington says includes the South China Sea.

Beijing claims almost the entirety of the South China Sea, brushing aside competing claims from several Southeast Asian nations including the Philippines.

In 2016 an international tribunal based in The Hague ruled that China’s massive claims had no legal basis, but Beijing continues to ignore the decision.

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