China blames PH again on raising tensions in the West Philippine Sea

This aerial photograph taken from a military aircraft shows the dilapidated Sierra Madre ship of the Philippine Navy anchored near Ayungin shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) with Philippine soldiers on-board to secure the perimeter in the Spratly group of islands in the South China Sea, west of Palawan. The Spratlys are considered a potential Asian flashpoint, and claimant nations including the Philippines have expressed alarm as China has embarked on massive reclamation activity. —photo by Ritchie B. Tongo/POOL/Agence France-Presse

MANILA, Philippines — China on Tuesday once again accused the Philippines of making provocations and heightening the tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

“On the situation at Ren’ai Jiao (Ayungin Shoal), China has made our position clear on multiple occasions. On this issue, it is the Philippines who has repeatedly infringed on China’s rights, made provocations and heightened tensions. We ask the Philippines to stop going back on its word and stop its provocations,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning.

Mao aired the accusation in a press conference after she was asked about China’s previous allegation that Filipino personnel pointed guns at China Coast Guard.

READ: West Philippine Sea: AFP denies soldiers pointed guns at CCG

In the same press conference, Mao was asked to categorically state whether or not Philippine personnel truly pointed guns at the Chinese Coast Guard, but she did not provide a concrete answer on the matter.

Instead, Mao opted to claim that the Philippines’ grounding of BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal is illegal.

“Since then, the Philippine side has further made frequent provocations, heightened tensions and escalated the situation. We find that simply unacceptable. China has more than once made clear its principled position on how this issue should be handled. We ask the Philippines to stop making provocations, and return to the right track of handling differences through dialogue and consultation,” she said.

The China Coast Guard has been accused of seizing food and other supplies meant for Filipino troops at BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin. Reports likewise claim that China allegedly obstructed a medical evacuation of ailing soldiers.

Both incidents took place on May 19, when the Philippine Navy performed an airdrop operation to bring the items to the BRP Sierra Madre.

Earlier, the Armed Forces of the Philippines likewise denied China’s claims involving alleged Filipino soldiers who pointed guns at their Coast Guard personnel.