MANILA, Philippines — Hindi kailangang humingi ng pahintulot ang Pilipinas sa China upang magsagawa ng resupply missions sa Ayungin Shoal sa ilalim ng “provisional understanding” ng Maynila at Beijing, ayon sa Department of Foreign Affairs noong Huwebes.
Iginiit ng DFA na hindi isinusuko ng kasunduan ang soberanya, sovereign rights at hurisdiksiyon ng Pilipinas sa West Philippine Sea.
Inilarawan ng ahensiya ang understanding bilang “set of principles and approaches” na naglalayong maiwasan ang hindi pagkakaunawaan at maling kalkulasyon sa rotation at resupply missions patungo sa BRP Sierra Madre.
“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,” sinabi ng DFA.
Hindi rin pinahihintulutan ng arrangement ang pagsakay o pag-inspeksiyon sa mga sasakyang-pandagat ng Pilipinas.
“The Philippines’ legal position, grounded in UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) and vindicated by the Arbitral Tribunal, remains unchanged and non-negotiable,” sinabi ng departamento.
Binigyang-diin ng DFA na ang rotation at resupply missions, kabilang ang normal na mga aktibidad sa BRP Sierra Madre, ay regular na tungkulin ng pamahalaan na isinasagawa sa loob ng hurisdiksiyon ng Pilipinas at bilang paggamit sa sovereign rights nito.
“The Philippines continues to conduct rotation and resupply missions, including normal shipboard activities in BRP Sierra Madre, as a matter of routine government function within Philippine jurisdiction and in the exercise of its sovereign rights under international law, particularly UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award, and will continue to do so for as long as necessary in line with the national interest.”
Muling iginiit ng DFA na bahagi ng exclusive economic zone at continental shelf ng Pilipinas ang Ayungin Shoal sa ilalim ng UNCLOS at ng 2016 Arbitral Award.
“As a low-tide elevation, Ayungin generates no maritime entitlement of its own and cannot be claimed by any other state. The Philippines alone holds the sovereign right to authorize any structure there, and Philippine vessels do not require permission to sail to Ayungin,” sinabi nito. Dave Baluyot
