DFA: Deal with China ensured 13 successful Ayungin missions

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) defended on Wednesday the country’s July 2024 arrangement with China, saying it has not affected Philippine sovereignty or maritime rights, but has instead paved the way for the safe conduct of 13 rotation and resupply (RoRe) missions to Filipino troops stationed on the grounded warship, BRP Sierra Madre, on Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.

DFA maritime affairs spokesperson Rogelio Villanueva Jr. said the arrangement has prevented confrontations that previously saw Philippine vessels blocked or harassed by Chinese ships.

He emphasized that the deal does not require Manila to seek Beijing’s permission, does not allow Chinese inspection of Philippine vessels, and does not concede any territorial claims.

At the same time, Villanueva clarified that the understanding is not a “provisional arrangement” under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) but a practical mechanism for conflict prevention. The DFA official defended the confidentiality of the agreement, saying sensitive matters involving national security and diplomacy are routinely withheld from public disclosure.

Dangerous precedent

The DFA issued the statement amid criticism, particularly from Jeffrey Ordaniel, president and CEO of the think tank We Protect Our Seas (WPS), that the arrangement “rewards coercion” and could set a dangerous precedent.

Ordaniel recently said the arrangement’s secrecy and lack of public disclosure risk undermining the Unclos and the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated China’s expansive claims in the West Philippine Sea.

He added that such arrangements, if normalized, could encourage further pressure on Manila and other claimants, reinforcing Beijing’s broader claims instead of resolving disputes through established legal frameworks.

Villanueva, however, said the arrangement was designed to protect Filipino personnel.

“On the contrary, we see this as a way to ensure that the welfare of our troops and maritime personnel, especially in BRP Sierra Madre, have the proper support. So, we do not believe that the provisional understanding optimizes or incentivizes coercion by other parties,” he stressed.

“The provisional understanding takes full note of the foregoing, and was drafted specifically to be without prejudice to the Philippines’ national position,” Villanueva said.

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Without prejudice

The DFA spokesperson reiterated that the 2016 international arbitral ruling invalidated China’s “nine‑dash line” claims and stressed that the provisional understanding was drafted without prejudice to Manila’s legal position.

The remarks followed Philippine and Chinese foreign ministry talks in Beijing on Feb. 27 and Feb. 28, where DFA Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Affairs Marshall Louis Alferez met with Chinese officials, including Asian Affairs Director-General Liu Jinsong and Boundary and Ocean Affairs Director-General Hou Yanqi, according to a DFA statement.

Both sides held what the DFA described as an “open and candid exchange of views” on bilateral concerns and explored ways to advance mutually beneficial cooperation.

Alferez also paid a courtesy call on Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong to discuss the state of the bilateral relationship.

The Beijing meetings were a follow-up to initial talks held in Cebu on Jan. 29, the DFA added.