MANILA – A Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) official has insisted that the Philippine government is under no obligation to seek permission from China when conducting a medical evacuation in the Ayungin Shoal.
According to PCG spokesperson for the WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela, China must remember that the Ayungin Shoal is located approximately 105 nautical miles away from the nearest coastline of Palawan.
“Therefore, China does not have any jurisdiction over these waters,” Tarriela said in a statement. “China is a country that has illegally and provocatively deployed their forces within our Exclusive Economic Zone.”
“The recent incident involving the obstruction of a medical evacuation highlights the inhumane actions of the Chinese government, as they demonstrate a disregard for safety and the preservation of life,” he added.
Tarriela’s comment came after Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that the China Coast Guard could have allowed the medical evacuation had permission been sought from them.
“If the Philippines notifies the Chinese side in advance, we can allow delivery of living necessities to the grounded warship or evacuation of personnel concerned,” Mao said in a media briefing on Saturday.
“However, the Philippines should not use this as an excuse for delivering construction materials in an attempt to permanently occupy Ren’ai Jiao,” the Chinese official further said.
Tarriela said on Friday that CCG vessels intentionally rammed a Philippine Navy rigid hull inflatable boat despite informing the Chinese side about the humanitarian nature of the mission.
The mission was to evacuate a sick member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines stationed at BRP Sierra Madre, a Philippine Navy vessel that ran aground in Ayungin Shoal. It has become a symbol of Philippine sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea.
“The CCG intentionally rammed as we transfer the personnel from the PN RHIB. The rendezvous point is at 15.43 nautical miles southeast off northeast Entrance of Ayungin Shoal,” Tarriela said in a statement on Friday.
“Their actions clearly demonstrated their intention to prevent the sick personnel from receiving the proper medical attention he urgently needed,” he added./PN
