Philippines protests Ayungin incident

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has issued a protest against China's expulsion of Philippine ships in the disputed Ayungin Shoal.

In a statement, the DFA said it has summoned the Chinese Charge d’Affaires on Tuesday afternoon to handover a note verbale to express the Philippines' objection to China's actions.

"China’s actions constitute a clear and urgent threat to the rights and interests of the Philippines under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea," the DFA said.

Chinese state news media Xinhua first reported that the Chinese coast guard drove away two Philippine ships from the Ayungin Shoal last Sunday.

Read: Chinese state media: Phl ships expelled from Ayungin Shoal

The DFA said the ships were civilian vessels contracted by the Philippine Navy that were conducting rotation of personnel and resupply operation.

According to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) report, the Department of National Defense also said that the Philippine vessels were carrying provisions to marine troops staying on the BRP Sierra Madre grounded at the contested shoal.

"The Chinese Coast Guard ships blocked our two vessels which were en route to Ayungin to re-provision. The full report is being finalized and will be submitted to the Department of Foreign Affairs," Defense spokesperson Peter Galvez was quoted as saying in the PNA report.

After the latest maritime incident, the DFA said it urges China "to desist from any further interference with the efforts of the Philippines to undertake rotation and resupply operations at the Ayungin Shoal."

The DFA said Ayungin Shoal is part of the continental shelf of the Philippines, which is entitled to exercise sovereignty rights and jurisdiction in the area without the permission of other countries.