President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has defended the Philippines’ provisional understanding with China on missions to Ayungin Shoal, despite Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. saying he was not aware of the arrangement.
Marcos said Friday that the understanding does not require the Philippines to seek China’s permission before sending vessels to Ayungin Shoal. It also does not surrender any Philippine maritime rights or claims, he said.
“There is no special arrangement that… the implication is that we have to ask for permission or that we have to give up some of our rights,” Marcos told members of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines.
“That’s not the case at all. The case is very simple. Our ships are going. Our vessels will sail,” he added.
His statement followed Teodoro’s disclosure that he did not know of any provisional understanding governing Philippine rotation and resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre.
The defense secretary’s statement raised questions about coordination among agencies involved in Philippine operations in the West Philippine Sea. The missions deliver personnel, food and other supplies to Filipino troops stationed aboard the grounded Navy ship.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that the Philippines and China reached the understanding in 2024 to prevent misunderstandings and dangerous encounters at sea.
The DFA said the understanding does not require Chinese approval for Philippine missions. It also does not allow China to board or inspect Philippine vessels.
According to Marcos, 15 rotation and resupply missions have been completed without incident since the understanding took effect.
He said Philippine authorities issue notices before missions as part of an established process. These notices should not be treated as requests for China’s permission.
Marcos also said he hesitated to call the process an “arrangement” because the Philippines was only following standard practices observed by vessels at sea.
The President maintained that the Philippines has not surrendered its sovereign rights, territorial claims or legal position under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Ayungin Shoal is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. China continues to claim the area despite the 2016 arbitral ruling that rejected Beijing’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea.
Marcos said the government remains open to communicating with China when disputes arise. He said dialogue could prevent misunderstandings and miscalculations between the two countries’ maritime forces.
However, neither Marcos nor the DFA explained why the defense secretary was unaware of the understanding involving missions that support Philippine troops stationed at Ayungin Shoal.
