PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. yesterday disagreed with China’s claim of having “sovereign territory” over parts of the West Philippine Sea in the South China Sea, and reaffirmed his government’s position to sustain efforts to protect Philippine sovereignty and territory.
The President made the statement amid China’s opposition to the Philippines’ recent enactment of the Maritime Zones Act (Republic Act 12064) and the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act (RA 12065) and Beijing summoning of the Philippine ambassador.
Marcos, in an ambush interview, said China objected to the Philippine laws and “they will continue to protect what they defined as their sovereign territory.”
“So, of course, we do not agree with their definition of sovereign territory. So, nothing has changed because our situation is still the same. Our position remains the same,” he said I mixed English and Filipino.
The President signed the two laws last week as part of the Philippines’ efforts to support the country’s maritime claims and territorial integrity.
China said the Philippines should respect its territorial sovereignty, maritime rights and interests, and should stop taking unilateral actions.
China is claiming almost the entire South China Sea, including areas within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
Chinese vessels have been harassing and bullying Philippines ships in the West Philippine Sea in the South China Sea, parts of which are also being claimed by Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
Meanwhile, Senate President pro tempore Jinggoy Estrada said government should consider bringing to international bodies China’s recent efforts to reinforce its claims on the West Philippine Sea by declaring its baselines territory around Bajo de Masinloc.
In a statement, Estrada said the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the Solicitor General must join hands and bring the matter either to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague or to the United Nations.
“Let’s disseminate to those international bodies our new maritime law for their reference and let’s formally bring to their attention the recent action of PROC (People’s Republic of China),” Estrada said.
He said Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal is located well within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone as what was ruled upon by the PCA in 2016 which invalidates Beijing’s sweeping claim on the whole of South China Sea.
“…The government’s actions should extend beyond merely filing diplomatic protests and summoning Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian,” he added.
China has drawn a baseline around Bajo de Masinloc as a response to the Philippines Maritime Zones Act. – With Raymond Africa
