DFA: Phl won't pull out stranded ship in Ayungin

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday said the Philippine Naval Vessel is not pulling out of Ayungin Shoal as the area is part of the country's continental shelf and jurisdiction.

"The BRP Sierra Madre, a commissioned Philippine Naval Vessel, was placed in Ayungin Shoal in 1999 to serve as a permanent Philippine Government installation in response to China’s illegal occupation of Mischief Reef in 1995. This was prior to the signing of the Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea in 2002," DFA said.

China recently drove away two Philippine ships from the disputed shoal. The Philippine government said the ships were carrying food and supplies for troops in the BRP Sierra Madre, but China said they were there "with the aim of building facilities and maintaining a presence" in the disputed shoal. BRP Sierra Madre has been in the area since 1999.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Qin Gang earlier said the Philippines has infringed upon China's rights and interests and violated the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.

The United States (US) State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki said the US is concerned with China's provocative move. In a statement, she said there should be no interference in the efforts of claimants to maintain the status quo when the resolution of competing claims is still pending.

Qin fired back, saying that Psaki's comments are inconsistent with its non-party capacity and goes against its commitment of neutrality in the issue.

China claims virtually the entire South China Sea through its nine-dash line, but countries like Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam have claims that overlap with China's.