Several Chinese vessels have left Ayungin Shoal, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command said on Sunday (Nov. 21).
According to Vice Adm. Roberto Enriquez, only two Chinese coast guard vessels remain in the Ayungin Shoal as of 12:00 a.m. Sunday.
Last week, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) condemned the blocking and bombing by the Chinese vessels on two supply boats in the Philippines that were set to bring food to Filipino soldiers in the Ayungin Shoal.
[THREAD] STATEMENT OF SECRETARY TEODORO L. LOCSIN, JR. ON THE AYUNGIN SHOAL INCIDENT, 18 November 2021@teddyboylocsin
— DFA Philippines (@DFAPHL) November 17, 2021
No one was injured but the mission to deliver food was aborted.
“The acts of the Chinese Coast Guard vessels are illegal. China has no law enforcement rights in and around these areas. They must take heed and back off,” DFA Sec. Teodoro Locsin said last Nov. 18 (Thursday).
“This failure to exercise self-restraint threatens the special relationship between the Philippines and China that President Rodrigo R. Duterte and President Xi Jin Ping have worked hard to nurture. The Philippines will continue to provide supplies to our troops in Ayungin Shoal. We do not ask permission to do what we need to do in our territory,” Locsin said. – Report from Naomi Tiburcio/PG – bny
