West PH Sea: ‘No formal offer’ of help from US for Ayungin missions – NSC

The BRP Sierra Madre is seen docked at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea on November 10, 2023. (Photo by JAM STA ROSA / Agence France-Presse)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has not received any “formal offer” of help from the United States for the resupply missions to BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the National Security Council (NSC) said on Sunday.

In a statement, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said the US government only assured the Philippines of its “continuing support” as “a treaty ally and partner.”

READ: West Philippine Sea: Ayungin resupply missions to remain PH operation – NSC

“No formal offer. US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s statement is about the US Government’s assurance of continuing support to the Philippines as a treaty ally and partner, including its concern in ensuring a peaceful and orderly rotation and resupply to our soldiers manning the BRP Sierra Madre,” Año explained.

“But we appreciate the US support in all aspects being our main ally and its assurance of ironclad commitment to the MDT (Mutual Defense Treaty). There is no need at this time for any direct involvement of US forces in the RoRe (rotation and resupply) mission,” he added.

According to Año, the RoRe missions will remain “to be a pure Philippine operation.”

Last June 17, a Philippine Navy sailor lost a finger after the Chinese Coast Guard rammed the Philippine Navy’s rigid hull inflatable boat during the resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre.

The WPS is a portion of the South China Sea that falls within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. However, China claims almost all of the South China Sea, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, and Malaysia.

In 1999, the BRP Sierra Madre was deliberately grounded on Ayungin Shoal to assert the Philippines’ claims to the area.

In 2016, the arbitral tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippines and said China’s claims have no legal basis.