Hindi Ito Marites: Provisional [mis]understanding on the West Philippine Sea

Rappler editor-at-large Marites Vitug tackles how a supposed 'provisional understanding' on Ayungin Shoal becomes a source of misunderstanding between Manila and Beijing For a good two years, the Philippine Navy’s resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea transpired without incident. But last July, that period of respite was shattered by another violent encounter provoked by China Coast Guard patrollers orbiting and approaching the rusting ship that serves as Manila’s outpost on the shoal that’s well within its UNCLOS-affirmed exclusive economic zone. This prompted talk among Manila’s and Beijing’s diplomats of a supposed “provisional understanding” meant precisely to avert such tense encounters at Ayungin Shoal. Neither side has fully disclosed the terms of that agreement, which, as Rappler editor-at-large Marites Vitug shows us, has turned out to be a source of misunderstanding between the two governments. – Rappler.com Writer, presenter: Marites VitugVideographer: Jonvic DigmaVideo editor: Franz Lawrence de CastroProducer: JC GotingaSupervising producer: Beth Frondoso How does this make you feel? Loading