Philippines does not need permission to be at Ayungin Shoal - DFA

Following the latest confrontation between Chinese and Filipino sailors in the West Philippine Sea, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday reiterated that the Ayungin Shoal belongs to the Philippines, so there is no need for the country to ask permission to be there.

The latest confrontation between the China Coast Guard (CCG) and the Philippine Navy left at least two members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines injured. Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan accused the Philippine side of violating what he said is the provisional agreement between the two countries.

Quan claimed that there was an agreement between Manila and Beijing that no construction can take place in the disputed waters.

However, the DFA stressed that the Ayungin Shoal is inside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

“The Philippines alone holds the sovereign right to authorize any structure there, and Philippine vessels do not require permission to sail to Ayungin,” the DFA said in a statement.

The DFA slammed attempts to “mischaracterize” Ayungin Shoal and the Provisional Understanding on the Rotation and Resupply (RORE) Mission to the BRP Sierra Madre, a Philippine Navy landing ship tank that was deliberately grounded inside Ayungin Shoal to serve as an outpost. The agreement was only made to avoid misunderstanding and miscalculations in RORE missions.

“It is not a grant of or a request for permission to any foreign government, it does not recognize any foreign jurisdiction over Philippine waters, and was agreed on the express understanding that it does not prejudice national positions,” the department said.

The Philippines does not need permission from any country to do RORE missions, the DFA said.

Meanwhile, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Jay Tarriela said that no agreement justified the CCG policing Philippine waters.

On Tuesday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. summoned Quan to the Palace to discuss the incident and raise concerns on national security.

In a media briefing on Thursday, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro questioned what agreement Quan was citing, saying he should be the one to show it if there was.

“Ang huli nating nadinig ay ang secret deal pero hindi iyon sa panahon ni Pangulong Marcos Jr.,” Castro told reporters when asked about the agreement.

(The last thing we heard was that there was a secret deal but this was before the time of President Marcos Jr.)

Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said that Duterte had a “gentlemen’s agreement” with China.

Marcos questioned the said agreement between Duterte and Beijing, as there was no written record of it. The President questioned his predecessor, wondering what he had compromised. —RF, GMA News