South China Sea: Philippines dismisses China’s ‘absurd’ demand over supply missions

National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano says the Philippines does not need China’s approval for its activities in the South China Sea

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Philippine resupply vessel Unaizah May 4 hit by Chinese coastguard water canon blast as it tried to enter the Second Thomas Shoal in the disputed South China Sea in March. Photo: AP

Published: 10:46am, 9 Jun 2024

The Philippines has said it will 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,” 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 added: “We do not and will never need China’s approval for any of our activities therein.”

Ano was responding to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning’s comment on Friday that the Philippines should notify Beijing in advance if it wants to deliver provisions or evacuate personnel from its grounded warship in the Second Thomas Shoal.

China claims swathes of the South China Sea, including areas the Philippines views as part of its exclusive economic zone. Beijing has barred delivery of construction materials to the rusty World War II-era ship, BRP Sierra Madre, which Manila has kept as its military outpost in the disputed shoal since 1999.

A Philippine flag flutters on BRP Sierra Madre, a dilapidated Philippine Navy ship that has been aground since 1999, on the disputed Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. Photo: Reuters

Ano cited the China coastguard’s “aggressive actions” against a Philippine vessel evacuating a sick soldier on May 19 from the ship, which he called “barbaric and inhumane.”