Palace hits Chinese blocking of Ayungin resupply

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang yesterday described as “objectionable” China’s blocking of a Philippine resupply mission to Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

The Department of National Defense (DND) reported recently that a Chinese coast guard vessel prevented three Philippine ships from delivering supplies to Filipino troops stationed on BRP Sierra Madre last May.

BRP Sierra Madre is a grounded landing ship that serves as a Philippine military detachment at Ayungin Shoal, located about 105 nautical miles from the province of Palawan. China is also claiming the shoal, which it calls Ren’ai Jiao.

According to the DND report, the Chinese ship with bow number 3305 came as close as 1,600 yards to the Philippine ships. China sends at least one coast guard ship to monitor activities around the shoal, including resupply missions, the report added.

“Of course it’s objectionable... They are just bringing food. Why would you block them?” presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said at a press briefing.

Panelo said he would leave it to Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. to handle the issue. He said China should be asked why it blocked the ships sent to replenish the supplies of soldiers at Ayungin Shoal, which is well within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.  

The incident happened three months before President Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to refrain from “aggressive actions” that could impair the ties between their countries.