China OKs PH resupply missions to BRP Sierra Madre | ABS-CBN
ADVERTISEMENT
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
China OKs PH resupply missions to BRP Sierra Madre
China OKs PH resupply missions to BRP Sierra Madre
China has reached a provisional arrangement with the Philippines on humanitarian resupply of living necessities to the BRP Sierra Madre but will not allow the transport of large amount of construction material, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Monday.
China has reached a provisional arrangement with the Philippines on humanitarian resupply of living necessities to the BRP Sierra Madre but will not allow the transport of large amount of construction material, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Monday.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperon Lin Jian confirmed Beijing had reached an agreement with Manila over resupply missions to Filipino troops in Ren’ai Jiao or Ayungin Shoal after a series of consultations.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperon Lin Jian confirmed Beijing had reached an agreement with Manila over resupply missions to Filipino troops in Ren’ai Jiao or Ayungin Shoal after a series of consultations.
"The two sides agreed to jointly manage maritime differences and work for deescalation in the South China Sea," the spokesperson said.
"The two sides agreed to jointly manage maritime differences and work for deescalation in the South China Sea," the spokesperson said.
The 100-meter (328-foot) BRP Sierra Madre vessel, which began its life as the US tank-landing ship USS LST-821 in World War II, was deliberately grounded in the 1990s in response to China's occupation of the nearby and then-uninhabited Mischief Reef, also claimed by Manila, a few years earlier.
The 100-meter (328-foot) BRP Sierra Madre vessel, which began its life as the US tank-landing ship USS LST-821 in World War II, was deliberately grounded in the 1990s in response to China's occupation of the nearby and then-uninhabited Mischief Reef, also claimed by Manila, a few years earlier.
ADVERTISEMENT
A handful of Filipino troops stationed on the rusty BRP Sierra Madre warship require frequent resupplies for food, water and other necessities as well as transport for personnel rotations.
A handful of Filipino troops stationed on the rusty BRP Sierra Madre warship require frequent resupplies for food, water and other necessities as well as transport for personnel rotations.
The remote outpost on Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) has been a focus of clashes between Chinese and Philippine ships in recent months as Beijing steps up efforts to push its claims to almost the entire South China Sea.
The remote outpost on Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) has been a focus of clashes between Chinese and Philippine ships in recent months as Beijing steps up efforts to push its claims to almost the entire South China Sea.
A Filipino sailor lost a thumb in the latest June 17 confrontation when Chinese coast guard members wielding knives, sticks and an axe foiled a Philippine Navy attempt to resupply its troops.
A Filipino sailor lost a thumb in the latest June 17 confrontation when Chinese coast guard members wielding knives, sticks and an axe foiled a Philippine Navy attempt to resupply its troops.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson maintained the Philippines is "violating China’s sovereignty and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC)" by refusing to tow away the BRP Sierra Madre.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson maintained the Philippines is "violating China’s sovereignty and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC)" by refusing to tow away the BRP Sierra Madre.
"Between now and when the warship is towed away, should the Philippines need to send living necessities to the personnel living on the warship, China is willing to allow it in a humanitarian spirit if the Philippines informs China in advance and after on-site verification is conducted. China will monitor the entire resupply process," the spokesperson said.
"Between now and when the warship is towed away, should the Philippines need to send living necessities to the personnel living on the warship, China is willing to allow it in a humanitarian spirit if the Philippines informs China in advance and after on-site verification is conducted. China will monitor the entire resupply process," the spokesperson said.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Third, if the Philippines were to send large amount of construction materials to the warship and attempt to build fixed facilities or permanent outpost, China will absolutely not accept it and will resolutely stop it in accordance with the law and regulations to uphold China’s sovereignty and the sanctity of the DOC."
"Third, if the Philippines were to send large amount of construction materials to the warship and attempt to build fixed facilities or permanent outpost, China will absolutely not accept it and will resolutely stop it in accordance with the law and regulations to uphold China’s sovereignty and the sanctity of the DOC."
Earlier Sunday, Manila said the resupply missions would remain a Philippine operation, after Washington vowed to "do what is necessary" to support them.
Earlier Sunday, Manila said the resupply missions would remain a Philippine operation, after Washington vowed to "do what is necessary" to support them.
"As far as the RORE (rotation and resupply mission) is concerned, we're keeping it as a purely Philippine operation utilizing Philippine ships, personnel and leadership," National Security Council assistant director-general Jonathan Malaya told AFP.
"As far as the RORE (rotation and resupply mission) is concerned, we're keeping it as a purely Philippine operation utilizing Philippine ships, personnel and leadership," National Security Council assistant director-general Jonathan Malaya told AFP.
"That may change depending on the guidance from top management but that's the direction or policy at present."
"That may change depending on the guidance from top management but that's the direction or policy at present."
Malaya's remarks came after White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the United States "will do what is necessary" to ensure the Philippines can continue to resupply its troops on the contested atoll.
Malaya's remarks came after White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the United States "will do what is necessary" to ensure the Philippines can continue to resupply its troops on the contested atoll.
ADVERTISEMENT
"We will continue to support the Philippines and stand behind them as they take steps to be able to ensure that," Sullivan said during the Aspen Security Forum conference in Colorado.
"We will continue to support the Philippines and stand behind them as they take steps to be able to ensure that," Sullivan said during the Aspen Security Forum conference in Colorado.
Malaya said the National Security Council appreciated the US offer and the Philippines would continue consultations as treaty allies.
Malaya said the National Security Council appreciated the US offer and the Philippines would continue consultations as treaty allies.
Manila has a mutual defense pact with the United States which requires both parties to come to the other's defense in case of an "armed attack" against vessels, aircraft, military and coast guard anywhere in the Pacific theater, which Washington says includes the South China Sea. With a report by Agence France-Presse
Manila has a mutual defense pact with the United States which requires both parties to come to the other's defense in case of an "armed attack" against vessels, aircraft, military and coast guard anywhere in the Pacific theater, which Washington says includes the South China Sea. With a report by Agence France-Presse
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
