Following clashes between the Philippines and China during rotation and resupply (RORE) missions at Ayungin Shoal, the two countries have reached a “provisional arrangement” for resupplying Filipino troops in the BRP Sierra Madre, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) declared.
"The Philippines and the People's Republic of China have reached an understanding on the provisional arrangement for the resupply of daily necessities and rotation missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal," said the Philippine Foreign Ministry, using the Filipino name for Second Thomas Shoal.
The agreement was forged following “frank and constructive discussions” at the 9th Bilateral Consultation Mechanism meeting on the South China Sea last July 2.
The department revealed that Foreign Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro represented the Philippines 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,” the DFA stated.
The foreign ministry, however, did not elaborate on the specifics of this agreement but emphasized that it “recognize[s] the need to de-escalate the situation in the South China Sea and manage differences through dialogue and consultation.”
The BRP Sierra Madre is a rusty Navy ship purposely positioned on a South China Sea reef in 1999. It is home to a small troop of Filipino soldiers and serves as an outpost asserting the Philippines’ claims over the West Philippine Sea.
Clashes in Ayungin Shoal
Ayungin Shoal—also known as the Second Thomas Shoal internationally, and called the Ren'ai Jiao by the Chinese, is a submerged reef located more than 1,000 kilometers from China’s nearest body of land, Hainan.
The reef lies approximately 200 kilometers west of Palawan, belongs to the Philippines' 321-kilometer exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and is part of its continental shelf. The nation has rights to the economic resources in the shoal's seabed and subsoil.
It has been a venue for clashes between Philippine and Chinese ships as Beijing intensifies its claims over the West Philippine Sea.
Filipino soldiers based at the BRP Sierra Madre require constant resupplies for food, water and other necessities, as well as transportation for staff rotations, hence the RORE missions.
To prevent these missions from reaching their destination, Beijing deploys the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) and other boats to patrol the waters surrounding the shoal. The country has also turned several nearby reefs into artificially militarized islands.
During the latest June 17 encounter, a Filipino sailor lost a thumb when the CCG rammed their small boat and wielded knives, sticks and an ax, which thwarted the Navy’s attempt to resupply its soldiers.
"Pumatong 'yung forward portion ng Chinese Coast Guard rib doon sa rib ng tropa natin, and unfortunately, nakahawak 'yung ating tropa doon so nadala 'yung daliri niya," Western Philippine Command Chief Rear Admiral Alfonso Torres stated.
In March this year, the Philippine government criticized China for the “reckless and illegal” actions of its CCG, which led to a collision between Chinese and Philippine ships, resulting in the latter taking damage and injuries to its crews.
During August last year, the CCG blocked and fired a water cannon against a resupply boat carrying food for the troops in BRP Sierra Madre.
In February 2023, Manila accused the CCG of directing a “military-grade laser” at one of its RORE ships on the way to Ayungin Shoal, prompting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to summon China’s ambassador.
The escalation of China’s aggressiveness in the South China Sea during the previous year was rooted in strengthening ties between the Philippines and the United States, allowing Washington greater access to an additional four military bases under the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement.
Purely Philippine Operation
“We appreciate the US support in all aspect[s] being our main ally and its assurance of ironclad commitment to the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT). There is no need at this time for any direct involvement of US forces in [the] RORE mission[s],” National Security Council (NSC) adviser Eduardo Año underlined.
However, this does not mean that the Philippines would exclude the United States entirely. NSC Assistant Director-General Jonathan Malaya has noted that the Philippine government will continue to consult the US as a treaty ally.
“As far as the RORE is concerned, we’re keeping it as a purely Philippine operation utilizing Philippine ships, personnel and leadership. That may change depending on the guidance from top management, but that’s the direction or policy at present,” Malaya highlighted.
These remarks responded to White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan's affirmation that the United States “will do what is necessary” to ensure the Philippines could continue its RORE missions.
“We will continue to support the Philippines and stand behind them as they take steps to be able to ensure that,” he emphasized during the Aspen Security Forum conference in Colorado.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla emphasized that the military appreciates Sullivan’s words, which display an “enduring partnership” between the two nations.
“The AFP is committed to the welfare and readiness of our personnel in strategic locations like Ayungin Shoal. The Philippines will exhaust all means before seeking foreign intervention to fulfill our mandate,” Padilla highlighted.
“The AFP values the support of the US and like-minded countries in fostering a peaceful and secure region based on international law. We remain committed to peaceful resolutions and will continue working with the US and other partners to uphold regional stability and our sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea,” she added.
The Philippines has a mutual defense pact with the United States that requires both parties to come to the other's defense in case of an "armed attack" against vessels, aircraft, military and coast guards anywhere in the Pacific theater, which Washington says includes the South China Sea.
Story by Chesca Chua;
Graphics by Isabella David
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