AFP to report EEZ violations to diplomatic authorities amid latest Ayungin challenge

The Armed Forces of the Philippines will report all Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) violations by foreign vessels to the proper diplomatic authorities , AFP Spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar said Monday.

The AFP official made the remark after a Philippine Navy boat received a radio challenge from the Chinese Coast Guard while they were on a resupply mission to the Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

“As reported by the Western Command, marami pong mga nakikitang violations ang mga foreign vessels in areas which are within our current Exclusive Economic Zones. So what we do is to monitor and report them to proper authorities because we are using diplomatic track in resolving issues or conflicts within the area,” Aguilar said in a televised public briefing.

In an earlier statement, WESCOM said that China's radio challenges would claim that the sea area near the Philippine ship was “under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China,” and that they allowed supplies to be delivered.

It also warned that bringing construction materials “will be dealt with.”

These radio challenges would always be followed by CCG's shadowing and performing close maneuvers against Philippine supply boats to try to disrupt the mission, according to WESCOM.

The Philippine supply boats, on the other hand, would respond and proceed to their planned route despite the challenges, it added. — DVM, GMA Integrated News