AFP: Recent WPS resupply not China-supervised
Philippine News Agency
By Priam Nepomuceno
May 23, 2025, 8:05 pm
MANILA -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Friday night dismissed China Coast Guard (CCG) claims that it allowed and supervised a rotation and resupply (RORE) mission to the BRP Sierra Madre (LS-57) in Ayungin Shoal stationed at West Philippine Sea (WPS).
"The AFP firmly upholds our country's sovereign rights in the WPS and reiterates that our resupply missions to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal are lawful, routine and conducted within our exclusive economic zone in accordance with international law, specifically UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea)," it said in a statement.
The May 16 RORE mission proceeded without any untoward incident, the military said.
The AFP stressed it will never seek permission from foreign countries to conduct operations aimed at protecting Philippine sovereign rights.
"We firmly reject CCG's false narrative that our operations require their permission or supervision. This is clearly meant to mislead the international community and project control where they have no basis to do so," it said.
The AFP added that Ayungin Shoal lies within the Philippine exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.
It also maintained that it has every right to be there and conduct activities in accordance with international and domestic laws.
"The AFP will continue to fulfill its mandate with professionalism and resolve, while urging the public and the international community to remain vigilant against deliberate disinformation that threatens regional peace and stability," the AFP said. (PNA)
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