China again interfered with a Philippine resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal last 4 October, the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea said yesterday.
Nonetheless, the operation to bring fresh supplies to Filipino troops stationed on the World War 2-era ship intentionally grounded to serve as an outpost was a success, the NTF-WPS added.
According to the NTF-WPS, vessels of the Armed Forces Western Command and the Philippine Coast Guard were once again blocked by the China Coast Guard and Chinese maritime militia while traversing the WPS.
The targets of the Chinese harassment, according to the NTF-WPS, were the supply boats Unaizah May 1 and Unaizah May 2, and their PCG escorts BRP Cabra and BRP Sindangan.
As in past incidents, China again accused the Philippines of "intruding into Chinese territory."
It asked the Philippines "to immediately stop its infringing activities in the waters," stressing that China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and the adjacent waters, including the Ren'ai Reef, their name for Ayungin.
However, the NTF-WPS maintained that the resupply missions were part of regular operations and that Ayungin Shoal is part of the country's 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone, as affirmed by a 2016 arbitral ruling.
"These missions are the legitimate exercise of the administrative functions of the Philippine government over the WPS, in line with UNCLOS, the 2016 Arbitral Award, and domestic laws," the NTF-WPS underscored. UNCLOS is the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
"The administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will remain steadfast in adhering to a rules-based international order," it added.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has vowed to finance the development of the town of Paga-asa in the Kalayaan island group off Palawan in the West Philippine Sea.
While the amount has yet to be disclosed, Speaker Martin Romualdez announced on Thursday that the funds will go to finance storm shelters for fishermen, a solar power plant, cold storage facilities, a desalination plant, and satellite-based communication facilities, among other things.
The commitment came following an island tour by Romualdez, Majority Leader Mannix Dalipe, Minority Leader Nonoy Libanan, and House appropriations committee chair Elizaldy Co conducted by Armed Forces Chief of Staff, General Romeo Brawner.
"It's clear that Pag-asa Island needs a development plan. The House of Representatives will lead in coming up with such a plan, being the institution responsible for the national budget and national policies that need legislation," Romualdez said.