By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Insisting that Ayungin Shoal which they call Ren’ai Jiao and known internationally as Second Thomas Shoal, really belongs to China, the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines on Monday filed a protest over what it claims as the “illegal trespassing of Philippine resupply vessels.”
Earlier, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it had summoned officials of the Chinese Embassy to express the Philippines’ “strong protest” over the “aggressive actions” by the China Coast Guard (CCG) and its maritime militia last Saturday against Philippine vessels in Ayungin Shoal.
In a statement, the Chinese Embassy said the resupply vessels intruded into Chinese territory and attempted to bring in construction materials to BRP Sierra Madre, a move which it called “deliberate and provocative” that allegedly “infringed upon China’s sovereignty, maritime rights and interests.”
The Chinese Embassy also claimed that the CCG responded lawfully and professionally, as it remains “committed to resolute measures in safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.”
It maintained that China’s sovereignty in the area is grounded on history and law, and called the 2016 Arbitral award, “illegal, null and void.”
(el Amigo/MNM)
