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 Vitug
Videographer: Jonvic Digma
Video editor: Franz Lawrence de Castro
Producer: JC Gotinga
Supervising producer: Beth Frondoso