After the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported a “close distance maneuvering” incident involving a Chinese vessel in the vicinity, China asserted its sovereignty over Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal on Monday.
Following a PCG report that on March 2, Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel (3305) advanced roughly 21 yards closer to BRP Malabrigo (MRRV-4402) in the seas of Panatag Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin remarked in a news conference.
“Huangyan Dao is China’s inherent territory. China has sovereignty over Huangyan Dao and its adjacent waters and sovereign rights and jurisdiction over relevant waters,” Wang said, referring to the Chinese moniker for Panatag Shoal.
Wang then asked PCG to “earnestly respect” China’s control over the Panatag Shoal.
“We hope that the Philippine ships will earnestly respect China’s sovereignty and rights and interests, abide by China’s domestic law and international law, and avoid interfering with the patrol and law enforcement of the China Coast Guard in the above-mentioned waters,” he said.
According to PCG Commandant Admiral Artemio Abu, the recent incident was the fourth reported close distance maneuvering incident involving CCG vessels in the Panatag Shoal vicinity.
The Philippine government sued China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in 2013. The Court ruled in favor of the Philippines in July 2016 when it junked China’s nine-dash claim over the South China Sea.
China asserts sovereignty over Panatag Shoal
In the same ruling, the international court ruled that the Spratly Islands, Panganiban (Mischief) Reef, Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, and Recto (Reed) Bank are within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone.
The court also declared Panatag Shoal a common fishing ground, making China’s assault against Filipino fishers illegal.
The Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines, Huang Xilian, was called by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier this month to denounce the Chinese Navy’s intrusion in the Sulu Sea from January 29 to February 1, 2022.
According to DFA acting Undersecretary Ma Theresa Lazaro, the passage of a Chinese navy ship through Philippine waters was illegal and violated the country’s sovereign rights.
The Chinese government, on the other hand, justified its ship’s three-day stay in the Sulu Sea, claiming that it was following international law.
Visit our Facebook page for more news updates.