Philippine resupply missions a display of sovereignty, says AFP

Resupply missions to features occupied by the Philippines in its exclusive economic zone will continue despite the challenges posed by China in the West Philippine Sea.

According to Joseph Morong's report on "24 Oras," a resupply mission to the Pag-asa Island in the Kalayaan Group is underway and is expected to be completed before the week ends.

"We are doing the resupply mission regularly because we are occupying nine islands or nine features. May mga tao d'yan, it is our right to resupply them despite the threat," AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. said.

"Our presence in Ayungin and our resupply missions, it's part of our demonstration of our strong resolve to assert sovereignty and jurisdiction," AFP Western Command Commander Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos said.

Philippine resupply boats successfully reached the Ayungin Shoal on Tuesday even after radio challenges by the China Coast Guard.

Chinese vessels also blocked the path of a Philippine Coast Guard ship.

On August 5, a Philippine resupply mission was not completed after Chinese ships used water cannons on the Philippine boats.

After the Philippines completed the resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre on Ayungin Shoal on Tuesday, Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian said China allowed the humanitarian mission.

Philippine officials have said that it did not need to get permission from China to conduct the resupply missions in the West Philippine Sea.

Residents were supposed to go with the resupply mission to Pag-asa Island on Sunday but the BRP Laguna only sailed on Tuesday night.

“Dapat iimprove para naman yung ano natin maipakita natin sa lahat na atin yan satin talaga yung pagasa, kalayaan na yan,” Leandro Iñigo, a resident of Pag-asa Island, said.

Still, despite the regular resupply mission, Kalayaan municipality said China's harassment, such as issuing a radio challenge.

On Wednesday, a radio exchange between the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) happened near the Sabina Shoal, 248 kilometers from Palawan, and before reaching Ayungin Shoal, 315 kilometers away from Palawan. Both areas are well within the EEZ of the Philippines.

"In the spirit of humanism, we only permit your ship carrying food and other necessary living materials and the rotating personnel without construction materials to the illegally grounded vessel. Over," went another Chinese radio challenge.

Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Ayungin is part of the Philippines' 200-nautical mile EEZ.

In July 2016, based on a case filed by the Philippines, the UN Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague junked China's nine-dash line claim covering the entire South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea. China has refused to acknowledge the ruling. —Sherylin Untalan/NB, GMA Integrated News