PH rejects China’s accusation of stirring up trouble in South China Sea

National Security Adviser Eduardo Año on Wednesday rejected the accusation of China that the Philippines was stirring up trouble in the South China Sea by conducting a joint air patrol with the United States.

“Our engagements with the United States are well within our rights as a sovereign and independent nation, aimed at promoting  maritime security and upholding international law,” Año said in a statement.

“We reject any assertion from other countries that seeks to undermine our legal and legitimate activities,” he added.

China's military on Tuesday called out the Philippines, saying it "stirred up trouble" in the South China Sea by conducting a joint air patrol with "extraterritorial countries.”

China's Southern Theater Command said it organized front-line naval and air forces to closely monitor the Philippines' joint air patrol and that troops "maintained a high degree of vigilance to resolutely defend national sovereignty."

Año pointed out that the Philippines-US joint air patrol or exercise was a lawful and routine exercise and was conducted within the Philippine territory.

“International law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea  (UNCLOS), recognizes the sovereign rights of coastal states,” he said.

“We urge China to  respect the sovereign rights of the Philippines conducted within its territory consistent  with its national interests and international law,” he added.

On Monday, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the United States Pacific Air Force (PACAF) held a joint patrol over the West Philippines Sea (WPS) as part of the 3rd Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA).

Three PAF FA-50s accompanied a B-52H bomber aircraft of PACAF from the west of Ilocos Sur to Mindoro Strait.

Tensions between China and the Philippines have heightened in recent months as both sides trade accusations over a series of incidents in the South China Sea.

China claims most of the South China Sea, parts of which are also claimed by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 invalidated China's claim in a ruling on a case brought by the Philippines, which Beijing rejects.—AOL, GMA Integrated News