MANILA: Manila will “never abandon” a Philippine-held shoal in the disputed South China Sea, an official said Monday, after the China Coast Guard allegedly blocked and water-cannoned a re-supply operation to Filipino troops.
“For the record, we will never abandon Ayungin Shoal. We are committed to Ayungin Shoal,” National Security Council spokesman Jonathan Malaya told reporters, using the Philippine name for Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands.