Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 22) — Philippine boats harassed by Chinese Coast Guard vessels last week have resumed their mission to resupply Filipino soldiers in Ayungin Shoal, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana confirmed on Monday.
Lorenzana said the ships left Oyster Bay in Palawan on Monday morning and would reach Ayungin Shoal by Tuesday morning.
“The Chinese Ambassador assured me they will not be impeded. Pero pakiusap nila walang (But they appealed for the boats not to have an) escort,” he added.
He also said the military is in constant communication with the Philippine vessels and a Philippine Navy plane will be in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal during the resupply mission.
On Nov. 16, three Chinese Coast Guard vessels blocked and fired water cannon on two Philippine boats en route to transport supplies to military personnel in Ayungin Shoal.
No one was hurt in the incident but the Philippine boats had to abort their mission to bring food, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said.
The Philippines intentionally grounded the transport ship BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal to assert its sovereign rights in the area. The ship is also where the Filipino soldiers are stationed.
The incident last Nov. 16 is one of the many occasions when Philippine military and fishing vessels were blocked by Chinese ships in the West Philippine Sea.
China continues to claim entire ownership of the South China Sea, despite a 2016 Hague arbitral ruling invalidating their claims and affirming the Philippines’ sovereign rights in areas inside the country’s exclusive economic zone.
