MANILA – The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) on Friday denounced the reported interference by Chinese maritime forces with a Philippine rotation and resupply (RoRe) mission to Ayungin Shoal on Sept. 24.

In a statement, the NTF-WPS said China Coast Guard (CCG) and People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA Navy) vessels hindered the routine mission to deliver essential supplies and rotate personnel stationed aboard BRP Sierra Madre (LS57).

The task force said the actions placed Filipino personnel at risk and obstructed what it described as a legitimate humanitarian and sustainment operation.

The NTF-WPS said the actions of the CCG and PLA Navy were inconsistent with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award, which affirmed Philippine sovereign rights and jurisdiction in its exclusive economic zone, including Ayungin Shoal.

It called on the Chinese maritime forces to immediately stop interfering with Philippine RoRe missions.

“The Philippines will continue to conduct lawful operations in the West Philippine Sea and exercise its sovereign rights and jurisdiction in accordance with international law,” the NTF-WPS said.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that China’s claims to historic rights over areas within the “nine-dash line” were without legal basis under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. China has rejected the ruling.