Manila: The National Maritime Council (NMC) on Thursday countered remarks made by Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan regarding Ayungin Shoal, emphasizing that the provisional agreement between Manila and Beijing has not compromised the Philippines' sovereign rights nor granted China control over the nation's activities within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
According to Philippines News Agency, the NMC responded after the Chinese envoy alleged that the Philippines breached the July 2024 provisional understanding by reportedly conducting construction work on the grounded BRP Sierra Madre, a Philippine Navy outpost at Ayungin Shoal. The NMC firmly rejected the ambassador's statements concerning the Philippines' legitimate activities in Ayungin Shoal and the Provisional Understanding for Rotation and Resupply to BRP Sierra Madre.
The council asserted that Ambassador Jing's claims misrepresent the Philippines' sovereign rights over Ayungin Shoal and the intended purpose and scope of the Provisional Understanding. The arrangement was designed solely to support lawful and safe rotation and resupply (RORE) missions to BRP Sierra Madre, aiming to minimize the risk of maritime incidents.
The NMC clarified that the provisional understanding does not grant any nation the authority to regulate or restrict Philippine activities at Ayungin Shoal. Ayungin Shoal is recognized as part of the Philippines' EEZ and continental shelf under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), as confirmed by the binding 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award. There is no requirement for the Philippines to seek permission to conduct lawful activities in its EEZ under international law, and no agreement has altered the Philippines' sovereign rights over Ayungin Shoal.
The council also condemned any attempts to use the provisional understanding to justify China's actions against Philippine personnel, emphasizing that such measures exist to prevent incidents and not to rationalize actions that increase tensions or threaten lives. The statement reiterated an earlier clarification by the Department of Foreign Affairs, stating that the 2024 provisional understanding is a set of principles to prevent misunderstandings during routine Philippine RORE missions and does not acknowledge any Chinese authority over Philippine waters.
The issue was reignited following a confrontation near BRP Sierra Madre, where Philippine military officials reported an assault by China Coast Guard personnel on Philippine Navy troops. In response to the incident, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. summoned Ambassador Jing to Malaca±ang, condemning China's actions as illegal and aggressive.
The NMC urged Beijing to avoid actions that undermine peace and stability in the West Philippine Sea and reaffirmed the Philippines' commitment to resolving disputes peacefully while defending its sovereignty in alignment with international law and President Marcos' policy of a rules-based maritime order.
