Manila, July 22 -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) on Wednesday strongly rejected claims made by the China Coast Guard that the latter gave permission for the medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) of two military personnel aboard the BRP Sierra Madre (LS-57), who were injured following a clash with CCG personnel last July 20 in Ayungin Shoal.

"The AFP rejects the CCG claim that it permitted the recent medical evacuation near BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal. The mission, conducted on July 21 by the AFP and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), was successfully conducted solely under Philippine authority in the exercise of our sovereign rights," the military said in a statem...