THE National Maritime Council (NMC) on Thursday rejected statements by China’s ambassador regarding the Philippines’ rotation and resupply missions to Second Thomas Shoal, saying they misrepresent both the country’s sovereign rights and the scope of the provisional arrangement governing the operations.
In a statement, the council said the provisional understanding was established solely to facilitate lawful and safe rotation and resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre and reduce the risk of incidents at sea.
“It is not an instrument that grants any country the authority to approve, regulate, inspect or restrict Philippine activities at Ayungin Shoal,” it said in a statement, using the Philippine name for the shoal.
The council said the arrangement does not alter the legal status of Ayungin Shoal or diminish the Philippines’ sovereign rights over the feature, which it said lies within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 South China Sea arbitral award.
“There is no requirement for the Philippines to seek permission before undertaking lawful activities in its own EEZ under international law,” it said.
“There is likewise no agreement nor arrangement that has altered or diminished the sovereign rights that the Philippines exercises over Ayungin Shoal,” it added.
The council issued the statement after remarks by Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan that, it said, incorrectly characterized the provisional understanding and the Philippines’ lawful activities at the shoal.
The NMC also rejected attempts to invoke the provisional understanding to justify coercive or violent actions against Philippine personnel conducting resupply missions.
It said confidence-building measures were intended to prevent confrontations at sea and should not be used to justify actions that escalate tensions or endanger lives.
The council urged China to refrain from statements and actions that could undermine peace and stability in the South China Sea, adding that constructive dialogue should be anchored on mutual respect, good faith and adherence to international law.
It said the Philippines remains committed to resolving differences peacefully while protecting its sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in accordance with international law and President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s policy of promoting a rules-based maritime order.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately reply to a Viber message seeking comment. — P.J. Bacon