The BRP Sierra Madre, a fleet marine detachment in Ayungin Shoal. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday disputed China's claim that the Philippine government promised 24 years ago to remove the BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal. The rusting vessel has been serving as a military outpost in an area claimed by Beijing despite being within the country's exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea. 'I am not aware of any such arrangement or agreement that the Philippines will remove from its own territory its own ship — in this case, the BRP Sierra Madre — from the Ayungin Shoal,' the President said in a brief video message.

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/217585/pact-on-ayungin-rescinded-if-theres-any-marcos

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