The Philippines said on Monday it rejects Beijing’s claims to the entire South China Sea (SCS), defending Manila’s “invisible, indisputable and long-standing” sovereignty over Scarborough Shoal and the Kalayaan Island Group.
“This claim has no basis in fact, no basis in history, and no basis in international law,” said Department of Maritime Affairs spokesman Rogelio E. Villanueva, Jr. he told a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“China must be reminded that maritime and territorial claims are subject to established international legal procedures and dispute resolution mechanisms, not through collective declarations or social media posts.”
The comments are the latest in a war of words between Philippine officials and the Chinese Embassy in Manila over disputes in the South China Sea. The Chinese embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Philippines and China both claim the Scarborough Shoal, which is under Beijing’s control by continuing to deploy its coast guard. Sovereignty over the island has never been formally established.
Mr. Villanueva was responding to an ambassador’s post on social media over the weekend that said the former Philippine ambassador told a German radio station that Scarborough Shoal did not fall within Manila territory.
Located 200 kilometers (124 miles) from the Philippines and within its exclusive economic zone, the strategic fishing zone is close to major shipping routes and is known for its fish and a green harbor that provides safe haven for ships during typhoons.
“Sovereignty is not only wanted, it is used,” said Mr. Villanueva.
He added that the Philippines has exercised continuous, undisturbed sovereignty and jurisdiction over the maritime domain, through detailed hydrographic studies, official government documents, and administrative actions.
The foreign affairs official also clarified that the resumption of negotiations with China does not mean that the Philippines is conceding its claims on the disputed waterway.
“Our pursuit of dialogue reflects a measured and principled commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes – it does not diminish or rationalize the Philippines’ position, which is strong in the West Philippine Sea,” he added.
The key waterway has become a flashpoint between Beijing and Manila, where officials have reported incidents involving Chinese coast guards and naval vessels, including harassment and dangerous maneuvers such as the use of water cannons near features Manila considers only part of its economic zone.
“The Philippines must file a diplomatic protest in response to the allegations presented by the Chinese Ambassador as it appears to be another case of misrepresentation aimed at discrediting the country’s claims,” said Josue Raphael J. Cortez, a professor of studies at De La Salle-College of St. Benilde, in a Facebook Messenger chat.
He also asked the Philippine government to use the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism to continue negotiations between Manila and Beijing.
Mr. Cortez said the ongoing meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to develop a binding code of conduct in the South China Sea can be used as a forum to address the feelings of the Philippines.
“If left unaddressed (this) could be very harmful to our claim and our neighbors who are claimants in the maritime domain,” he added. – Adrian H. Halili with Reuters
