PH will not allow China to arrest Filipinos in WPS —official

The Philippine government will not allow China to arrest Filipinos in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) as such is "unacceptable," the Philippine Navy said Wednesday.

"Not only the Philippine Navy but the entire government and nation will not allow this (arrest), based on the pronouncement of our commander-in-chief that this is totally unacceptable," Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Roy Trinidad said in a press briefing. 

Trinidad echoed Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo's statement that China's directive is not consistent with international law.

China has reportedly issued a regulation empowering its coast guard to detain foreigners trespassing in the South China Sea. The directive was issued following the Philippine civilian mission to the WPS.

According to a South China Morning Post report last week, citing a regulatory document of Beijing set to take effect in June, the China Coast Guard (CCG) can detain trespassers without trial.

"Foreigners suspected of illegally passing China's borders can be held for up to 60 days," according to the report.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion in annual ship commerce. Its territorial claims overlap with those of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei.

In 2016, an international arbitration tribunal in The Hague ruled that China's massive claim over the South China Sea has no legal basis, a decision that Beijing does not recognize.

Meanwhile, in the same briefing, Trinidad said the Philippine Navy is verifying the reported pipe installation in Scarborough Shoal.

"That is the subject of the confirmation right now," Trinidad said.

"Maraming paraan (there are many ways) how to confirm a report. We will send a ship. We could use aircraft. We could use satellite tracking. We could leverage our partners and allies," he added. —KBK, GMA Integrated News