WPS tensions seen to ease

The Philippines and China agreed to continue their arrangement on Manila’s rotation and re-provisioning missions at Ayungin Shoal to ease the tension in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Thursday.

According to the DFA, the deal was part of the outcome of the 10th Meeting of the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) on the South China Sea between Manila and Beijing in Xiamen, Fujian — the hometown of most Chinese-Filipinos.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro led the country’s delegation and met with her counterpart, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong.

The DFA said Lazaro and Chen had “frank and constructive discussions” on the situation in the South China Sea and other bilateral issues.

“The two sides exchanged views on the Provisional Understanding on the Philippines’ rotation and reprovisioning (RORE) missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, acknowledged its positive outcomes, and agreed to continue its implementation to sustain the de-escalation of tensions without prejudice to their respective national positions,” the DFA said.

It was last July when the DFA announced that the Philippines and China agreed on an arrangement for the rotation and resupply mission to the Sierra Madre.

According to the DFA, the “understanding” was achieved after a “series of consultations following the 9th Bilateral Consultation Mechanism in Manila on 2 July 2024.”

China claims the vast South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea. Recently, confrontations between the Philippine Coast Guard and the China Coast Guard and militia vessels significantly increased.

Beijing has been consistent in insisting on its territorial rights on Ayungin Shoal, demanding the Philippines tow the Sierra Madre from the area.

The BRP Sierra Madre, a World War II ship, is a permanent station for the Philippines’ military personnel at Ayungin Shoal, also known as Second Thomas Shoal.

Ayungin Shoal became a point of contention between the two countries that have overlapping claims to the low-tide elevation feature in the West Philippine Sea.

Located 105 nautical miles west of Palawan, Ayungin Shoal is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.

Monster ship

The Philippines, through Lazaro, also raised concern about Beijing’s deployment of the China Coast Guard’s monster ship within the country’s EEZ.

“The Philippines expressed serious concern regarding recent incidents in the South China Sea, particularly the activities of CCG 5901 and CCG 3103 in Philippine maritime zones that are inconsistent with the 1982 UNCLOS and the Philippine Maritime Zones Act,” the statement said.

CCG ship 5901, dubbed the “monster ship” due to its massive 12,000 gross register tons, was reported to be sailing off the coast of Capones Island in Zambales.

Last week, the Philippine Coast Guard reported the presence of the CCG vessel about 54 nautical miles off Capones Island and its replacement by another CCG ship after more than a week in the area.

On Saturday, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said the Chinese “monster ship” returned to its previous location off the coast of Zambales.

Open to dialogue

For her part, Lazaro reaffirmed that the country’s stance on the West Philippine Sea remains “clear and consistent,” while emphasizing its continued openness to dialogue.

“We firmly believe that despite the unresolved challenges and differences, there is genuine space for diplomatic and pragmatic cooperation in dealing with our issues in the South China Sea,” she said in her opening remarks.

Lazaro also underscored that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has emphasized the Philippines’ commitment to the peaceful resolution of the dispute through dialogue and diplomacy.

During the meeting, the DFA also noted that the two nations agreed to “reinvigorate the platform for coast guard cooperation.”

“The two sides also identified ocean meteorology as an area of focus for a workshop on marine scientific cooperation,” it said.

The Philippines will host the next BCM at a later date.