Fewer Chinese ships spotted in latest Ayungin resupply mission — PH Navy

The Philippine Navy on Tuesday said the number of Chinese vessels in the latest rotation and resupply (RoRe) mission in Ayungin Shoal on January 24 has decreased compared to its previous mission in the disputed waters.

In a press briefing, Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said they monitored two People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ships, five China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels, two Chinese maritime militia craft, and two rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) last Saturday.

“The number [of vessels] during the RoRe would vary. Depending on the previous RoRe, there was a fewer number this time,” he said.

Filipino forces delivered food and supplies to the detachment on board the grounded BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal without untoward incidents, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Friday.

The Philippines and China in July last year reached an understanding on an arrangement that will avoid altercations in the contested shoal. The move aimed to ease tensions after violent confrontations between forces from both sides.

Earlier this month, Beijing and Manila held another round of talks to address their maritime disputes and agreed to seek common ground and find ways to cooperate.

"The Philippines views the latest RORE mission and the continued adherence to the understanding of the principles and approaches to such missions as substantial demonstrations of diplomatic and pragmatic cooperation in dealing with issues in the South China Sea, and the country’s commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes through dialogue and diplomacy, consistent with the guidance of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.," the DFA said.

Both countries have traded barbs for months over multiple incidents at Ayungin Shoal, an atoll that lies within the Philippines' 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea.

China is claiming almost the entire South China Sea, despite overlapping claims by Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

A 2016 ruling of an international arbitral tribunal said Beijing's claims, based on its so-called historic maps, have no basis under international law, a decision China said it does not recognize.—RF, GMA Integrated News