AFP denies deal to remove BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal

Abi Sarabia M., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
August 24, 2026

Photo courtesy: The Guardian

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) rejected China’s claim that Philippine officials had promised to remove the BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal, saying no binding commitment was ever made.

AFP spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said the grounded Philippine Navy vessel will remain at the shoal, where it has served as a military outpost since 1999.

“The Chinese Communist Party speaks of ‘promises’ and ‘demands,’ yet it very easily forgets its own track record of deceptive narratives in our waters,” Trinidad said in a statement Saturday.

The Chinese Embassy has maintained that the Philippines repeatedly promised to tow the BRP Sierra Madre away after it was deliberately grounded at Ayungin Shoal in 1999. China has made similar claims in previous statements.

The AFP, however, said there was no binding agreement requiring the Philippines to remove the vessel. The National Security Council also denied a similar Chinese claim in 2023.

Ayungin Shoal, also known as Second Thomas Shoal, is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. The 2016 arbitral ruling affirmed Philippine sovereign rights in areas within its EEZ and rejected the legal basis for China’s sweeping maritime claims.

Trinidad also cited China’s activities at Panganiban Reef, or Mischief Reef, as an example of what he described as Beijing’s misleading narratives in the West Philippine Sea.

China initially described structures built at Mischief Reef in the 1990s as shelters for fishermen. The area has since been developed into a large artificial island with military facilities.

“Mischief Reef stands as a permanent, concrete monument to their deceptive strategy in the West Philippine Sea,” Trinidad said.

The BRP Sierra Madre remains stationed at Ayungin Shoal with Philippine troops on board. The area has been the site of repeated confrontations involving Philippine resupply missions and Chinese vessels.

The AFP said it would continue to maintain the country’s presence at the shoal and uphold Philippine maritime rights under international law.