2 PH ships driven out of Ayungin Shoal–China foreign ministry

This undated handout photo released by the Philippine Government on May 23, 2013 shows an aerial view of BRP Sierra Madre, a 100-metre (328 foot) amphibious vessel built for the US in 1944 and acquired by the Filipino navy in 1976, grounded at Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands. AFP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Two Filipino vessels were expelled from Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) in the Spratly group of islands by the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) Sunday, according to the state news agency Xinhua.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said in a press conference that there were two vessels carrying Philippine flags and “loaded with construction materials” identified by the CCG approaching Ayungin Shoal, known as Ren’ai Reef to China.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has yet to issue a statement confirming the expulsion incident in Ayungin shoal.

“China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha (Spratly) Islands and their adjacent waters including the Ren’ai Reef,” Gang was quoted as saying by China’s state news agency Xinhua.

“The moves infringed China’s sovereignty and violated the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of the Parties in the South China Sea,” he said.

Gang accused the Philippines of attempting to conduct construction on the reef, prompting the CCG to expel them.

The Philippines only defense on the shoal is the BRP Sierra Madre, which was intentionally grounded on Ayungin in 1999 to mark the country’s territorial claim.

Several soldiers are stationed on the rusted Sierra Madre. They are constantly surrounded by CCG vessels patrolling the waters around the shoal.

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