AFP refutes China's claim over Ayungin Shoal

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has refuted China's claim of "indisputable sovereignty" over the Ayungin Shoal, stating that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) does not grant China sovereignty over the area.

AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar stated that the UNCLOS does not grant China sovereignty over the area, as it is too far from Chinese territory.

Aguilar's remarks were a direct response to statements made by China Coast Guard (CCG) spokesperson Gan Yu, who claimed that Philippine supply and coast guard vessels "intruded" into waters near the Ayungin Shoal.

The CCG spokesperson also stated that Chinese vessels had warned, tracked, and regulated the Philippine ships in accordance with the law.

China, through its Foreign Ministry, reiterated its claim of "indisputable sovereignty" over Ayungin Shoal, calling it "Ren'ai Jiao" and an integral part of its Nansha Qundao (Spratly Islands).

China claims the shoal has been its territory "since ancient times" and argues that the Philippines has no legal basis to claim sovereignty over it, even due to proximity.