AFP: We won't dignify China's 'misleading claims'

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) underscored on Monday that it would not dignify the misleading claims of China in relation to the reported collision of Philippine and Chinese vessels in the waters adjacent to Ayungin Shoal.

The AFP released its statement after the China Coast Guard had disclosed that vessels of the Philippines and China had collided in the area, which is also called Second Thomas Shoal.

According to AFP Public Affairs Office chief Colonel Xerxes Trinidad, the main issue is the illegal presence of Chinese vessels in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

"The AFP will not discuss operational details on the legal humanitarian rotation and resupply mission at Ayungin Shoal, which is well within our EEZ. We will not dignify the deceptive and misleading claims of the China Coast Guard,'' Trinidad said.

''The main issue remains to be the illegal presence and actions of Chinese vessels within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, which infringes on our sovereignty and sovereign rights,'' he added.

The Philippine military spokesperson maintained that the continued aggressive actions of the CCG personnel are escalating tensions in the region.

So far, Malacañang and the Philippine Coast Guard have no comment on the matter. The National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) was also mum on the alleged latest resupply mission.

Earlier in the day, the CCG said the Philippine supply ship "dangerously approached" the Chinese ship. It said Manila's vessel illegally intruded into the waters adjacent to the Second Thomas Shoal and ignored Beijing's repeated solemn warnings.

The Ayungin Shoal, which China calls Ren’ai Reef, is located 105 nautical miles west of Palawan and is well within the Philippines' 200-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and is part of its continental shelf.

READ: EXPLAINER: What is the Ayungin Shoal and why is it important?

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei.

This despite an arbitral ruling that invalidated its massive claims in the resource-rich area. Beijing has ignored the ruling and instead continued to strengthen its presence, including its aggressive actions, in the region. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News