AFP denies sending reiforcement to Ayungin Shoal

From ABS-CBN (May 26): AFP denies sending reiforcement to Ayungin Shoal

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) denied that it sent reinforcements to the Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

AFP Chief Emmanuel Bautista said it is routine to send Navy ships to the shoal to provide supply for those who are on duty to look after the area.

Just last week, the military reported that they saw a Chinese frigate and two Chinese maritime surveillance ships in the vicinity of the Ayungin Shoal despite the Philippines protest against the intrusion.

According to military spokesman Major Ramon Zagala Jr., they have been monitoring the Chinese ships since two weeks ago.

Saying the AFP has no plans to confront the ships because it might aggravate the situation, Zagala said they will continue to monitor the ships' movements and defend the interests of the country through diplomatic means.

The DFA earlier asserted China has no right to claim the Ayungin Shoal as it is located just 105 nautical miles from Palawan which is well within the 200-nautical mile Philippine Continental Shelf.

DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez said only the Philippines has sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the continental shelf and this is guaranteed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/05/26/13/afp-denies-sending-reiforcement-ayungin-shoal