The Philippines has pushed back against Beijing’s claims that maintenance and structural work on the BRP Sierra Madre breaches a bilateral agreement regarding Ayungin Shoal, clarifying that no such limitations exist in the arrangement.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro addressed the issue following assertions by Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan, who alleged that ongoing work aboard the rusty military outpost went against the “spirit” of the provisional understanding regulating rotation and resupply missions.
Addressing reporters on Thursday night, July 23, on the sidelines of the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Pasay City, Lazaro stressed that the pact does not bar repairs or structural upkeep on the grounded vessel.
”No. There is no mention of that undertaking in the provisional understanding,” she said.
Lazaro further clarified that Manila and Beijing have not engaged in talks to alter or re-evaluate the deal despite recurring friction in the West Philippine Sea.
”We have no discussion on the provisional understanding,” Lazaro said.
The diplomat’s statements follow claims by Ambassador Jing that the China Coast Guard confronted the BRP Sierra Madre after spotting foreign personnel setting up “barrier nets” and conducting other maintenance activities—actions Beijing argues undermine the agreement.
This dispute comes on the heels of a tense confrontation at Ayungin Shoal, where the Armed Forces of the Philippines reported that Chinese personnel assaulted Philippine Navy troops during a resupply run.
The clash resulted in a injured Filipino serviceman and a damaged military rubber boat, drawing swift condemnation from the Department of National Defense over China’s continued hostility.
In the wake of the incident, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. summoned Ambassador Jing to Malacañang, asserting that such aggressive encounters “should not happen again” and urging both nations to dial down tensions through diplomatic channels.
Additionally, Lazaro directly raised the Ayungin Shoal incident during a bilateral meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the ASEAN summit, lodging a formal protest over the China Coast Guard’s conduct.
Forged in 2024, the confidential provisional understanding was established to de-escalate maritime standoffs by permitting Philippine resupply missions without prejudicing either nation’s legal claims.
Commissioned as a permanent outpost in 1999, the BRP Sierra Madre sits inside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, as reaffirmed by the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award—a landmark legal victory China continuously rejects.