‘Deal with China never restricted Philippine rights’

MANILA, Philippines —The Provisional Understanding on rotation and resupply (RORE) to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal has never restricted or limited the exercise of Philippine sovereign rights and jurisdiction under international law, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Tuesday.

The DFA said it is fully cognizant of the fundamental differences between Philippine and Chinese positions, particularly on the final and binding 2016 Arbitral Award, which categorically affirms Philippine sovereign rights and jurisdiction over low-tide elevations within its exclusive economic zone, including Ayungin Shoal.

“The Provisional Understanding was crafted expressly without prejudice to the Arbitral Award. It covers only the principles and approaches governing personnel rotation and the resupply of essential materials to the BRP Sierra Madre,” the DFA said in a statement.

The agency said retired justice Antonio Carpio’s criticism of the DFA is misplaced.

“With respect to the former justice, the RORE missions conducted under the Provisional Understanding are the product of continuing study by all relevant government agencies,” it added.

The DFA said Carpio’s proposed alternatives, such as airdrops, drones, fast boats, were studied and weighed before and throughout the Provisional Understanding’s implementation.

Carpio, the DFA said, is welcome to raise these directly with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Coast Guard, who are best placed to assess their operational feasibility.

The Provisional Understanding, the DFA said, was crafted with the knowledge of the highest levels of the Philippine government.

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