China: Ayungin access needs advance notice

With its tactic of intimidation drawing outrage and unsuccessful in stopping Philippine resupply missions for troops on the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, China has announced it would no longer block deliveries of food and other provisions to the military outpost - situated in Philippine waters - if Manila gives advance notice.

- MICHAEL PUNONGBAYAN, Ghio Ong, Marc Jayson Cayabyab

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning issued the statement in reaction to the Philippine Coast Guard's revelation that the China coast guard (CCG) tried last month to stop the evacuation of a sick Filipino soldier stationed on the Sierra Madre to a hospital in Palawan.

Recently, members of the CCG on rubber boats snatched one of four packages of food and provisions air-dropped by a military aircraft on the Sierra Madre.

"China's position on the issue of Ren'ai Jiao is clear. If the Philippines notifies the Chinese side in advance, we can allow delivery of living necessities to the grounded warship or evacuation of personnel concerned," Mao said, calling Ayungin Shoal by its name assigned by Beijing.

“However, the Philippines should not use this as an excuse for delivering construction materials in an attempt to permanently occupy Ren’ai Jiao,” she added.

Reacting to the Chinese foreign ministry statement, PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan said the Philippines is free to do anything it wants in Ayungin Shoal or in any part of its territorial seas without having to inform China.