The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief, General Romeo Brawner Jr., has condemned China’s interference in the repairs of the Philippine Navy ship BRP Sierra Madre on Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
Brawner said that China has no right to tell the Philippines not to repair its own ship, especially since it is located within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). He also pointed out that China’s construction of artificial islands in the West Philippine Sea is a much more serious violation of Philippine sovereignty.
The AFP chief’s remarks came in response to the Chinese Embassy’s insistence that Ayungin Shoal is Chinese territory. The embassy also accused the Philippines of violating China’s sovereignty by sending a military ship to the area.
The Philippine government has earlier said that it has the right to repair BRP Sierra Madre, which has been aground on Ayungin Shoal since 1999. The ship is a symbol of Philippine sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea and is home to a dozen marines and sailors.
China has taken exception to the Philippine resupply mission held earlier this month, saying that the Filipino ships illegally entered the area without their permission and illegally delivered construction materials.
However, the Philippines has maintained that Ayungin Shoal is within its EEZ and that it has the right to conduct resupply and repair missions on the ship.
Source: PhilNews24 | October 25, 2023
