Chinese envoy Huang Xilian declared persona non grata by Kalayaan LGU

The Sangguniang Bayan (SB) of the municipality of Kalayaan in Palawan recently declared Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian a persona non grata.

Resolution No. 125-015 authored by Kalayaan SB Member Maurice Philip Alexis Albayda was issued after Huang defended the harassment of China Coast Guard (CCG) against Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea last August 5, according to a report by Super Radyo DYSP.

Albayda delivered a privilege speech condemning the statement of Huang defending the actions of the CCG.

Since Kalayaan is the only town in the West Philippine Sea, the local government has the responsibility to stand up to such actions, he added.

GMA News Online contacted the Chinese Embassy for comment but it has yet to receive a reply as of posting time.

CCG vessels used water cannons and used dangerous maneuvers against Philippine vessels heading for Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on August 5.

The Philippine Coast Guard vessels were escorting boats bringing supplies to soldiers stationed at the marooned BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal when the incident happened.

The CCG however said it had taken "necessary controls" against Philippine boats that had "illegally" entered what it calls its waters.

The Philippines then sent a note verbale to Huang following the incident.

The Palawan provincial board also denounced the firing of water cannons by the CCG against Philippine vessels going to Ayungin Shoal.

Ayungin is located 105.77 nautical miles from the nearest Philippine province of Palawan and constitutes part of the country’s 200-nautical mile continental shelf as provided under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Chinese Embassy’s Deputy Chief of Mission Zhou Zhiyong on Monday called on the Philippines to meet China halfway through diplomatic dialogues to maintain peace and tranquility in the South China Sea.

Zhou said this during the day's Pandesal Forum in Quezon City and insisted that Ayungin Shoal, which he called Ren’ai Reef, is part of China’s Nansha Islands. —with a report from Ted Cordero/KG, GMA Integrated News