MANILA, Philippines- Hindi nangako ang Philippine government na aalisin ang BRP Sierra Madre sa Ayungin Shoal sa West Philippine Sea, ayon sa Palace official nitong Miyerkules.
“No such thing,” pahayag ni Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Atty. Cheloy Garafil.
Inihayag din ng National Security Council (NSC) na hindi nangako ang kasalukuyan at nakaraang administrasyon sa China na tatanggalin ang military vessel sa Ayungin.
“Kahit sinong mapagtanungan natin under this administration or previous administrations wala po tayong naging commitment or anumang pangako sa pamahalaan ng Tsina na tatangalin natin ang BRP Sierra Madre sa Ayungin Shoal,” ani NSC spokesperson Jonathan Malaya sa televised public briefing.
“Wala pong meeting, wala pong kasulatan na nilagdaan ng dalawang bansa na meron tayong ganung usapan,” patuloy niya.
Hinamon din ni Malaya ang China na patunayan ang pahayag nito.
“Kung meron palang ganun na may kasunduan, di ilabas niyo, di ba? Kasi, they are the ones that are making this claim, therefore it is their responsibility to back up their claim,” giit niya.
Matatandaang sinabi ng China na naunang mangako ang pamahalaan ng Pilipinas na aalisin ang barko sa Ayungin Shoal, na tinatawag ng Beijing na Ren’ai Jiao.
Ang BRP Sierra Madre ay nasa Ayungin Shoal mula pa noong 1999. Binabantayan ito ng mahigit isang dosenang Marines at sailors, na naging simbolo na ng soberanya ng Pilipinas sa nasabing teritoryo.
Sinabi rin ng Department of Foreign Affairs na ang BRP Sierra Madre ay isang permanent military station na may tungkuling protektahan “and secure Philippine rights and interests in the West Philippine Sea.”
“The deployment of a Philippine military station in its own areas of jurisdiction is an inherent right of the Philippines and does not violate any laws,” sabi ni Foreign Affairs spokesperson Tess Daza.
Subalit, taliwas dito ang sinasabi ng Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“In 1999, the Philippines sent a military vessel and deliberately ran it aground at Ren’ai Jiao, attempting to change the status quo of Ren’ai Jiao illegally… The Philippines promised several times to tow it away but has yet to act,” saad sa pahayag ng Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. RNT/SA
