UNDER international law, the Philippines has every right to patrol the length and breadth of the West Philippine Sea, which necessarily includes Bajo de Masinloc, which is well within the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
This was National Adviser Eduardo Año said in reaction to China’s claims that it had blocked and prevented a Filipino warship, the BRP Conrado Yap (PS-39), from trespassing into the waters of Huangyan Island (the Chinese name for Scarborough Shoal) on Oct. 30.
“Under international law, the Philippines has every right to patrol the length and breadth of the WPS which necessarily includes Bajo De Masinloc which is well within the country’s EEZ,” Año said in a statement.
The PS39 conducted routine patrol operations in the general vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc without any untoward incident.
It did not illegally enter any space under Chinese sovereignty because Bajo de Masinloc is part of the PH archipelago and EEZ.
Chinese vessels, as usual, conducted shadowing on the movement of PS39.
China is again over hyping this incident and creating unnecessary tensions between our two (2) nations.
Nonetheless, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will not be deterred by the aggressive and illegal activities of PLAN Navy/China Coast Guard/Militia in the West Philippine Sea, said Año.
“We urge China to act responsibly, respect UNCLOS, adhere to the 2016 Arbitral Ruling, promote the rules-based international order, and stop its aggressive and illegal actions in PH waters.
Following the strong guidance of President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos, Jr., we will protect our territory and sovereign rights at all costs,” he concluded.
