TINIYAK ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) nitong nakalipas na linggo na muling magpapadala ng mga karagdagang kagamitan at pagkain ang militar para sa mga tropa nito sa Ayungin Shoal.
Ayon sa AFP, kailangang umayos ang Tsina dahil ngayon nakasubaybay na ang buong mundo.
Inihayag ni AFP spokesman Col. Medel Aguilar na itutuloy nila ang rotation and resupply (RORE) mission sa BRP Sierra Madre na nagsisilbing military garrison o detachment ng AFP sa Ayungin Shoal.
Nagbabala ang AFP sa China Coast Guard (CCG) na itigil ang pakikialam sa kanilang rotation and resupply (RoRe) missions sa BRP Sierra Madre na nakadaong sa Ayungin Shoal na nasa loob mismo ng Exclusive Economic Zone at iwasang gawin ang anumang aksyon na magbibigay panganib sa buhay ng mga tao.
“We therefore call on all parties to abide by their obligations under international law and respect the Philippines sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its maritime shoals,” ani Aguilar.
Matatandaan, noong Agosto 5, ang BRP Sierra Madre ay muling pumutok sa mga balita matapos gamitan ng water cannon ng chinese coast guard sa resupply mission ng military upang muling hatiran ng supply ang mga tauhan nito na nakatalaga sa Ayungin Shoal.
Samantala, nakabuo rin ng panibagong alyansa ang US, Japan at South Korea na layuning bantayan at tiyakin ang malayang paglalayag sa indo pacific region.
Sa inilabas na mensahe ng US embassy, “We share concerns about actions inconsistent with the rules-based international order, which undermine regional peace and prosperity. Recalling the publicly announced position of each of our countries regarding the dangerous and aggressive behavior supporting unlawful maritime claims that we have recently witnessed by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in the South China Sea, we strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the waters of the Indo-Pacific. In particular, we steadfastly oppose the militarization of reclaimed features; the dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels; and coercive activities. In addition, we are concerned about illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. We reiterate our firm commitment to international law, including the freedom of navigation and overflight, as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The July 2016 award in the South China Sea arbitration sets out the legal basis for the peaceful resolution of maritime conflicts between the parties to that proceeding.”
Matapos ang pagpupulong ng US, Japan at South Korea ay may lumabas na balitang nakatatakdang magpadala ng aircraft carriers ang tatlong bansa sa South China Sea ngayong linggo para sa isang naval drills sa South China Sea subalit wala pa itong kumpirmasyon mula sa Indo-Pacific Command. VERLIN RUIZ