PH does not seek China nod for Ayungin resupply missions – Malaya
In a screengrab 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 earlier this month. — Agence France-Presse
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government stood firm in saying that it does not seek permission from China to conduct resupply missions at Ayungin Shoal, according to National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Malaya was asked to comment on the Chinese government’s alleged repeated statements claiming the Philippine government requires Beijing’s approval to conduct resupply missions in the area.
READ: PH will never seek China approval to access Ayungin—Año
“The position of the Philippine government has been very clear and consistent from the very beginning, and we have always been transparent about what we do insofar as the resupply missions are concerned. They’re conducted by the Philippines, by the Philippines utilizing Philippine vessels, and never have we sought permission from the People’s Republic of China,” Malaya responded.
“That’s why we’re also surprised that they consistently issue statements that are vaguely worded but created and drafted to create the impression that they actually supervise the entire thing,” he also said.
Malaya said these claims create the impression that, without China’s permission, the Philippine government would not be able to conduct the resupply missions.
“But that is the farthest from the truth,” he stressed.
READ: Beijing notified but not asked to approve resupply missions
Asked what the Philippines can do about such statements, Malaya said there is nothing, as talk is cheap and the Philippine government stands by the truth and what actually happens at sea.
He added that seeking permission from China would be a violation of the Philippine Constitution. /das/abc
