NMC open to 'extending' PH, China RORE missions deal

National Maritime Council spokesman Alexander Lopez on Tuesday expressed openness to the possibility of extending the scope of the Philippines and China's "provisional agreement" on resupply missions for troops in Ayungin Shoal.

During the Palace press briefing, Lopez expressed belief that the deal between the two countries was "useful."

''Definitely it is useful because of that understanding that we have with China, it’s just a matter of—kasi iyong understanding din was focused on the RORE missions in Ayungin Shoal. We did not expect that this thing will happen between coast guards,'' Lopez said.

Lopez's remarks' came after the latest collision near the Escoda Shoal, which is within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 arbitral award.

The Philippines on Monday accused the Chinese Coast Guard of performing "unlawful and aggressive maneuvers" in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), resulting in collisions that damaged two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels.

''Maybe that’s one area where maybe the scope of the understanding between the two countries, baka – this has been seriously studied by our Department of Foreign Affairs – baka puwedeng ma-extend in other areas in our maritime domain,'' he added. 

The Philippines is studying the possibility of filing a case against China. 

Lopez said Manila has urged Beijing to refrain from aggressive actions and adhere to international law as it expressed serious concern over China's latest actions. 

China Coast Guard spokesperson Gan Yu earlier claimed on social media platform Weibo that Philippine vessels BRP Bagacay and BRP Cape Engaño "deliberately" collided with a CCG vessel near Escoda Shoal.

Meanwhile, the Philippine-China provisional deal came after multiple standoffs at the Second Thomas Shoal, where the Philippines in 1999 grounded a navy vessel and maintained a small number of troops on it to prop up its maritime claims. —VAL, GMA Integrated News