PH will never seek China approval to access Ayungin—Año

BLOCKING MEDIVAC In this screen grab from a Philippine Coast Guard video, members of the China Coast Guard (in orange life vests) are seen trying to block the medical evacuation of a sick
Philippine Navy sailor from the BRP Sierra Madre before the Filipinos outmaneuvered them during an encounter near Ayungin Shoal on May 19. —Agence France-Presse

MANILA, Philippines — Never will the Philippines ask for China’s approval to gain access to Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal where Filipino troops are stationed at the deliberately grounded vessel BRP Sierra Madre.

This was the response of National Security Adviser Eduardo Año to the latest statement from Beijing that sets conditions for the unhampered movement of Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea.

“The recent statement by China’s Foreign Ministry suggesting that the Philippines must first notify China for access to Ayungin Shoal is absurd, nonsense and unacceptable,” Año said in a statement on Saturday night.

“We do not and will never need China’s approval for any of our activities therein,” he added.

READ: BRP Sierra Madre a symbol of PH sovereignty that China wants to destroy

Año was reacting to the statement of Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning who said Beijing would allow the Philippines to access Ayungin if it “notifies the Chinese side in advance.”

The statement was seen as China’s way of justifying the blocking and ramming of Philippine boats on a medical evacuation in the West Philippine Sea last month.

READ: China has ‘zero common sense’ over actions during Ayungin airdrop—PH Navy

The Philippine Coast Guard on Friday said that China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels on May 19 made “dangerous maneuvers and even intentionally rammed” a rigid hull inflatable boat of the Philippine Navy that was then carrying an ailing member who had been evacuated from the Sierra Madre.

Commodore Jay Tarriela of the PCG called the Chinese actions “barbaric and inhumane.”

For Año, “Such actions are not only violations of international maritime laws but also of basic human rights.”

Año also denounced the CCG for seizing supplies intended for troops stationed at the Sierra Madre also on May 19, saying the act was “equally reprehensible.”

The Philippines would continue to maintain its outpost in Ayungin and supply its troops in the West Philippines Sea “without seeking permission from any other nation.”

“Our operations are conducted within our own territorial waters and EEZ, and we will not be deterred by foreign interference or intimidation,” he said.