PH insists on right to patrol Scarborough Shoal amid fresh China claim

National Security Adviser Eduardo Año on Tuesday insisted that the Philippines has the right to patrol Scarborough Shoal after China accused a Philippine military ship of “illegally” entering the area.

In a statement in reaction to the Chinese military's claim, Año said China was “overhyping” the incident and triggering tensions with the Philippines.

“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),” Año said, using the local name of Scarborough Shoal.

“China is again over hyping this incident and creating unnecessary tensions between our two nations,” he added.

Año called on China to act responsibly, comply with international laws, and stop aggressive and illegal actions in Philippine waters. 

“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,” he added.

UNCLOS is the  1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which is considered the constitution of the seas.

A former military chief of staff, Año said the Philippine ship 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,” he said.

Asked about the matter, AFP spokesperson Colonel Medel Aguilar told reporters that China’s claim is “not true.”
“An illegal occupant cannot prevent the legitimate owner from entering his house and backyard,” Aguilar said in a message.

Shadowing

Año said Chinese vessels performed shadowing on the movement of the Filipino boat.

Despite China’s actions, Año said the Armed  Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will not be deterred by the “aggressive and illegal activities” of China’s PLAN Navy and Coast Guard as well as Chinese militias in West Philippine Sea.

China's military said on Monday that a Philippine military ship “illegally entered" waters near Scarborough Shoal without authorization and it urged the Philippines to immediately stop its provocations.

The statement marks a rare warning from the Chinese military towards the Philippines over its moves in disputed waters in the South China Sea. The military had mostly directed its warnings against US warships in the region.

China and the Philippines have had several confrontations in the South China Sea, recently trading accusations about a collision between a Chinese coast guard vessel and a boat from the Philippines.

“We are urging the Philippine side to immediately stop its infringement and provocations, and earnestly avoid further escalation,” said senior colonel Tian Junli, a spokesperson for the People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command. —KBK/RSJ, GMA Integrated News