MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday rejected China's claim that the China Coast Guard (CCG) had permitted a recent medical evacuation mission near BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.
The AFP said the medical evacuation mission carried out on July 21 by the AFP and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) was completed "solely under Philippine authority in the exercise of our sovereign rights."
"The Philippines does not ask for, nor does it require, the permission of any foreign nation to conduct operations within its own Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)," the military said in a statement.
The AFP stressed that Ayungin Shoal lies well within the Philippines' 200-nautical-mile EEZ, as affirmed by the 2016 Arbitral Award under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos).
It described the CCG's assertion that it had "permitted" the operation as a "false narrative intended to project illegitimate authority where none exists."
The military also emphasized that BRP Sierra Madre is a commissioned Philippine Navy ship and that sustaining the vessel and providing humanitarian care to its personnel are sovereign responsibilities of the Philippine government.
"We will continue to conduct lawful operations throughout the West Philippine Sea without seeking the approval of China or any other foreign state," the AFP said.
The military commended the Philippine Coast Guard for its professionalism, coordination and swift response in ensuring the success of the evacuation mission.
