THE Chinese Foreign Ministry said the sailing of a People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessel through Philippine waters is an exercise of the right of innocent passage guaranteed under the United Nation Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian issued the statement in response to the move of the Department of Foreign Affairs on Monday to summon Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian to explain the “intrusion and lingering” presence of a PLAN vessel in the country’s waters, particularly in the Sulu Sea.
The DFA said that from January 29 to February 1 this year, a PLAN electronic reconnaissance ship of the Dongdiao class with bow number 792 entered Philippine waters without permission, reaching the waters of Palawan’s Cuyo group of islands and Apo island in Mindoro.
But Zhao said there is nothing illegal or extraordinary about the sailing of PLAN vessel in the Philippine waters as it is guaranteed under UNCLOS.
“The Chinese naval vessel’s sailing through the Philippines waters was an exercise of the right of innocent passage pursuant to UNCLOS. The Chinese passage was safe and standard, and consistent with international law and international practice,” Zhao said.
“We hope relevant parties can view it in an objective and rational manner,” he added.
In summoning the Chinese envoy, the DFA said the movements of the Chinese vessel did not follow a track that can be considered as continuous and expeditious as it lingered in the Sulu Sea for three days. The DFA further said the ship continued its activities despite being repeatedly directed by the Philippine Navy ship BRP Antonio Luna to leave Philippine waters immediately.
“As a country that abides by its international commitments, the Philippines recognizes the right of innocent passage in accordance with Article 52 of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. However, the actions of PLAN 792 did not constitute innocent passage and violated Philippine sovereignty,” the DFA said in summoning Huang.
Manila said Beijing should respect Philippine territory and maritime jurisdiction, and to comply with its obligations under international law, particularly UNCLOS, and direct its vessels to desist from entering Philippine waters without permission.
Presidential candidate Sen. Panfilo Lacson said every country whose vessel accidentally encroaches on the territorial waters of another country uses the right of innocent passage as defense.
But Lacson sees more than just the right of innocent passage to China’s incursion.
“But it says a lot because everybody knows that Palawan is within our territory. There’s no question about),” Lacson said in Filipino during a campaign sortie in Madella, Quirino.
Lacson said there are ongoing talks between a local private company and the Chinese government for a fuel deposits exploration in that area, to which China is reportedly amenable to a 60-40 sharing as provided for in the Philippine Constitution. — With Raymond Africa
