Malacañang on Tuesday, March 29, reiterated the Philippines’ full sovereignty in Scarborough Shoal despite the claim of Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Wang Wenbin that it is China’s “inherent territory.”

Communications Secretary Martin Andanar issued the statement after China asserted its sovereignty over Scarborough Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc, amid reports of a Chinese vessel sailing dangerously close to a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship in the disputed waters earlier this month.

“The Philippine position is we continue to exercise full sovereignty over Bajo de Masinloc and its territorial sea, as well as sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the surrounding EEZ and continental shelf,” Andanar said.

The PCG reported that a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel with bow number 3305 suddenly approached and stayed approximately 21 yards from BRP Malabrigo (MRRV-4402) which was conducting a maritime patrol operation in Bajo de Masinloc last March 2.

It called the incident a “close distance maneuvering” which constrained the maneuvering space of BRP Malabrigo. It is a “clear” violation of the 1972 International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS), the PCG added.

However, in a press conference on Monday, March 28, Wang urged the Philippine government to “earnestly respect” China’s sovereignty and “avoid interfering” with the patrol operations of the CCG.

“We hope that the Philippine ships will earnestly respect China’s sovereignty and rights and interests, abide by China’s domestic law and international law, and avoid interfering with the patrol and law enforcement of the China Coast Guard in the above-mentioned waters,” Wang said.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has yet to confirm whether or not a diplomatic protest has been filed against China over the recent incident.

Meanwhile, the PCG earlier assured that it will continue patrolling Bajo de Masinloc to uphold its sovereignty in the area in adherence to the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) instruction to promote the safety of life and property at sea by enforcing all applicable laws within the Philippine waters in support of national development.

In 2016, The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in favor of the Philippines when it junked China’s expansive claim over the South China Sea.

The international court also ruled that the Spratly Islands, Panganiban (Mischief) Reef, Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, and Recto (Reed) Bank are within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone.

It also deemed Scarborough or Panatag Shoal as a common fishing ground and outlawed China’s aggression toward Filipino fishermen there.

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by Alexandria Dennise San Juan

If you have any stories or news that you would like to share with the global online community, please feel free to share it with us by contacting us directly at [email protected]