DFA says China not notified on recent Ayungin RoRe mission

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MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) debunked claims on Saturday that China was informed of the rotation and reprovisioning (RoRe) mission conducted by the Philippines in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
In a message to a Whatsapp group with reporters, DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza clarified that the Philippines had “no prior notification” to China in conducting the RoRe mission on Saturday.
READ: Latest RoRe mission at West Philippine Sea went smoothly – DFA
It is contrary to a statement released on Saturday where the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the “China had been informed of the resupply before it was carried out.”
The country’s first RoRe mission to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal did not report any “untoward incidents.” Further, Daza noted that “the Chinese Coast Guard vessels were at a reasonable distance with no risk of collision.”
Article continues after this advertisementREAD: West Philippine Sea: PH, China reach understanding on Ayungin missions – DFA
Article continues after this advertisementAccording to DFA, this is the first RoRe mission conducted after the Philippines and China reached an “understanding” on July 21 on the provisional arrangements on RoRe missions to Ayungin Shoal “for the purpose of avoiding misunderstandings and miscalculations.”
“The RoRe was meant to supply the necessary provisions to the personnel onboard the Sierra Madre,” Daza said. The mission was conducted by civilian vessel MV Lapu-Lapu and escorted by the Philippine Coast Guard.
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