Manila: Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday pushed for Senate scrutiny of the Philippines' 'provisional understanding' with China concerning resupply missions to the Ayungin Shoal, raising questions about its effectiveness in safeguarding Filipino troops and reducing tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
According to Philippines News Agency, Hontiveros introduced Proposed Senate Resolution No. 589, which seeks to direct the relevant Senate committees to investigate the arrangement governing rotation and resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre. The resolution highlights that the agreement has neither been submitted to the Senate nor fully disclosed to the public.
'Ang tanong lang naman: gumagana ba itong kasunduan? Kasi kung para ito maiwasan ang gulo at maprotektahan ang ating mga sundalo, bakit patuloy silang sinasaktan habang ginagawa lang nila ang trabaho nila (The question is simple: Is this agreement working? If it is meant to prevent conflict and protect our soldiers, why do they continue to get hurt while simply doing their jobs)? The Senate needs to see exactly what was agreed upon, and whether the Philippines is actually benefiting from it,' Hontiveros stated in a news release.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has acknowledged the existence of the provisional understanding, describing it as a set of principles aimed at avoiding misunderstandings and miscalculations during Philippine resupply missions to Ayungin. The resolution clarifies that the arrangement does not require the Armed Forces of the Philippines to seek Beijing's permission for missions nor does it allow Chinese personnel to board or inspect Philippine vessels.
Hontiveros, however, pointed out the conflicting positions within the government, noting that Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro has claimed no such agreement exists. 'Hindi puwedeng sinasabi ng DFA na may kasunduan, tapos sinasabi naman ng DND na wala. These are the agencies responsible for our foreign relations and national defense. Kailangan malinaw sa kanilang dalawa - and especially to our soldiers on the ground - kung ano ba talaga ang patakaran natin (The DFA cannot say there is an agreement while the DND says there is none. These are the agencies responsible for our foreign relations and national defense. Both agencies - and especially our soldiers on the ground - need clarity on what our policy really is),' she said.
Hontiveros referenced incidents that tested the deal's purpose, including a June 17, 2024 confrontation at Ayungin Shoal where a Philippine Navy serviceman lost his thumb after being rammed and boarded by Chinese Coast Guard personnel. Subsequent incidents occurred despite the provisional understanding, such as a March 7 incident where a People's Liberation Army Navy vessel targeted its fire-control radar at the Philippine Navy frigate BRP Miguel Malvar near Escoda Shoal.
On July 20, a Chinese Coast Guard vessel advanced toward the BRP Sierra Madre and deployed a rigid-hull inflatable boat, resulting in a collision with a Philippine rubber boat and a Filipino serviceman being struck on the head with a wooden baton, necessitating medical evacuation.
'This deal is supposed to calm our waters. Instead, our soldiers keep coming home injured. Either the agreement isn't working, or it was never designed to protect us in the first place,' Hontiveros remarked. She clarified that the inquiry need not disclose information genuinely sensitive to national security but emphasized that confidentiality should not impede public accountability regarding an arrangement affecting Philippine maritime rights and personnel safety.
The resolution also invokes constitutional provisions on public access to information and the full disclosure of government transactions involving public interest, particularly those affecting the country's maritime zones, sovereign rights, and the safety of Filipino personnel.
'The West Philippine Sea issue is not something we can afford to negotiate in the dark. Hindi natin kailangang palakihin ang gulo. Pero kailangan nating maging malinaw at matatag (We do not need to escalate the conflict. But we need to be clear and firm),' Hontiveros concluded.
