China on Monday accused the Philippines of seeking to “permanently occupy” the Ayungin Shoal and again raised its demand for the removal of BRP Sierra Madre in what it called Ren’ai Jiao.
“China immediately made serious démarches to the Philippines, demanding the removal of the vessel. The Philippines promised several times to tow it away but has yet to act. Not only that, the Philippines sought to overhaul and reinforce the military vessel in order to permanently occupy Ren’ai Jiao,” it added.
Over the weekend, the Philippine Coast Guard said the Chinese Coast Guard used "dangerous maneuvers and illegal use of water cannons" against vessels of the coast guard which were escorting indigenous boats to deliver food, water, fuel, and other supplies to military troops stationed on the BRP Sierra Madre.
“On August 5, in disregard of China’s repeated dissuasion and warning, the Philippines sent two vessels that intruded into the adjacent waters of Ren’ai Jiao and tried to deliver the construction materials for overhauling and reinforcing the grounded military vessel,” the foreign ministry statement said.
“The South China Sea arbitration was a pure political drama staged in the name of the law with the US pulling strings behind the scenes. The so-called award contravenes international laws, including UNCLOS, and is illegal, null and void,” the statement read.