Three presidential candidates on Thursday said China had no rights in the Ayungin Shoal, after the government rejected a Chinese demand that it remove the grounded BRP Sierra Madre from the area. A 2016 ruling by a UN tribunal junked China’s expansive claims to the area, which is part of the Philippine exclusive economic zone, said Vice President Leni Robredo, who is running for president. “Facts are not debatable. This is not subject to opinion because there is a ruling already,” she said in Filipino in an interview with ABS-CBN.

Requejo, R. E., & Ramos-Araneta, M. (2021, November 26). Prexy aspirants assert Ayungin within country's maritime zone. Manila Standard, pp. A1, A2.