The Philippines said it would continue to maintain and supply its South China Sea outposts without seeking permission from any other nation, dismissing Beijing’s demand to do so as “absurd, nonsense and unacceptable.”
“Our operations are conducted within our own territorial waters and EEZ,” Philippine National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano said in a statement late Saturday, referring to the nation’s exclusive economic zone.
“We will not be deterred by foreign interference or intimidation,” he said.
Photo: Reuters
Ano was responding to Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Mao Ning’s (毛寧) comment on Friday that the Philippines should notify Beijing in advance if it wants to deliver provisions or evacuate personnel from its grounded World War II-era ship, the BRP Sierra Madre.
Manila has used the ship as a military outpost in the disputed in the Second Thomas Shoal (Renai Shoal, 仁愛暗沙) since 1999.
Ano cited the China Coast Guard’s “aggressive actions” against a Philippine vessel evacuating a sick soldier on May 19 from the ship, which he called “barbaric and inhumane.”
“Such actions are not only violations of international maritime laws, but also of basic human rights,” he said.
Reports of Chinese forces allegedly seizing food and medical supplies meant for Filipino troops at the BRP Sierra Madre “are equally reprehensible and warrant a thorough investigation and accountability,” Ano said.
Ano said the Philippines remains open to dialog and peaceful negotiations to resolve disputes in the waterway, but added that it “must be based on mutual respect and adherence to international law.”
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