Issues remain unresolved regarding the agreement between the Philippines and China over the disputed territory in the West Philippine Sea, following the meeting between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Qian.

In a meeting lasting more than an hour between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Chinese Ambassador Jing Qian at Malacañang on Tuesday, July 21, the President emphasized that he does not want a repeat of the violent incidents between Philippine and Chinese personnel at Ayungin Shoal.

The President summoned the Chinese envoy following the violent incident on July 20, where Filipino soldiers were injured after being struck by Chinese Coast Guard personnel while conducting a mission at Ayungin Shoal.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro confirmed details of the meeting between the two officials.

"Actually, tumagal ang meeting ng isang oras at bente minutos. Yes, at nag-usap sila at ang nais na mangyari dito ng Pangulo ay hindi na maulit ang mga pangyayari at ma-reset sana ang relasyon ng China at ng Pilipinas sa mas magandang pakikipag-ugnayan."

[Actually, the meeting lasted one hour and twenty minutes. Yes, and they talked, and what the President wants to happen is for the incidents not to be repeated, and for the relationship between China and the Philippines to be reset toward better engagement.]

The Chinese Ambassador reportedly accepted the President's request well, saying both sides remained calm and that no blame was assigned during their conversation.

Despite this, the Department of Foreign Affairs could not avoid responding to the Chinese Embassy's claim that the Philippines violated the "provisional understanding" due to alleged construction on the BRP Sierra Madre.

"No. There is no mention of that undertaking in the provisional understanding." DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa "Tess" Lazaro said. 

According to the DFA, the provisional understanding was created only to avoid misunderstanding and accidents during rotation and resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal.

The department also maintained that the area remains part of Philippine territory based on UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award, and that the Philippines therefore has full right to maintain and repair facilities there without needing to seek permission from China.

This point was also asserted and emphasized by Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr.

"Eh talaga! Hindi dapat nila pakialam 'yon! No? Pangalawa, wala silang karapatan talaga na nandodoon sila. Walang hiya talaga.. I mean, hindi na ako dapat magpigil, eh. Kasi kailangan na meron nang... you know, galit na ang taumbayan. Hindi na natin pwedeng... walisin sa ilalim ng silong, no? Lantara'y na 'to, eh. Inu-ungoy na tayo, eh." 

[That's right! That shouldn't be their concern! Right? Second, they really have no right to be there. It's really shameless.. I mean, I shouldn't hold back anymore. Because there needs to be... you know, the public is already angry. We can't... sweep this under the rug anymore, right? This is already out in the open. We're already being provoked.]

Teodoro also criticized the Chinese Ambassador for allegedly violating the agreement not to publicize the content of his conversation with President Marcos.

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