(UPDATES) THE Philippines and China have affirmed their commitment to "de-escalate" tensions in the region without prejudice to their respective positions, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.
In a statement, the DFA said the Philippines and China convened the 9th Meeting of their Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea (BCM) in Manila on July 2.
The DFA said Manila and Beijing raised the need "to restore trust, rebuild confidence, and create conditions conducive to productive dialogue and interaction" amid recent incidents in the South China Sea.
The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations earlier conducted an inquiry on the reported harassment on June 17 by the China Coast Guard (CCG) against a Philippine resupply mission to the beached BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
CCG personnel — with some reportedly brandished bladed weapons — rammed Philippine boats on a regular rotation and resupply mission to the rusting BRP Sierra Madre. The CCG harassment resulted in the injury of some Philippine Navy personnel.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong had "frank and constructive discussions" on the situation in the South China Sea, the DFA said.
Lazaro stressed to Xiaodong that the Philippines would "be relentless" in protecting its interests and upholding its sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea, the DFA said.
The two sides discussed their respective positions on Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.
"There was substantial progress on developing measures to manage the situation at sea, but significant differences remain," the DFA said.
"Both sides agreed to continue discussions to find a mutually acceptable resolution to the issues," the DFA said.
Lazaro and Xiaodong also signed the Arrangement on Improving Philippines-China Maritime Communication Mechanisms as they recognized the need to strengthen the bilateral maritime communication mechanism in the South China Sea.
They agreed to discuss further how to put this mechanism into practice, the Foreign Affairs Department said. The DFA has yet to provide details about these measures.
The two sides agreed to continue discussions on maritime cooperation between their respective Coast Guard authorities, including the possible resumption of the Joint Coast Guard Committee.
They continued discussions on the possibility of convening an academic forum among scientists and academics on marine scientific and technological cooperation.
Both sides agreed that continued dialogue on the basis of mutual respect as "two equal sovereign states facilitates peace and stability at sea and committed to having the 10th BCM in China to sustain the positive momentum on discussions," it added.
The Philippines is "working very hard" to bring China to a dialogue to resolve their differences peacefully, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo earlier said.
Over the weekend, two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) officials contradicted each other's statements on whether the China Coast Guard offered to help Filipino fishermen whose boat engine exploded off Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal).
PCG spokesman for West Philippine Sea Commo. Jay Tarriela declared that the CCG did not offer help to the distressed Filipino fishermen and even blocked BRP Sindangan (MRRV-4407) on its way to provide medical assistance to those who sustained injuries.
But PCG spokesman Rear Adm. Armand Balilo refuted Tarriela's claims, saying that BRP Sindangan received radio challenges during the operation and encountered "shadowing and initial blocking" by CCG and People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy ships, they eventually gave way and allowed the Philippine ship to push through "when they were informed by the Angel of the Sea on board about the humanitarian mission."
In fact, he said the CCG launched the two RHIBs and offered to help the eight fishermen of the Filipino fishing boat "Akio."
"In times of emergencies, the safety of life should always be our priority," Balilo said.
"The PCG and CCG communicated in a diplomatic manner and set aside issues on sovereignty in the spirit of humanitarianism," he added.
Balilo said this account was based on the statements of Filipino fishermen and the official report of the PCG personnel who took part in the operations.
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