'Blatant falsehoods': DFA hits Chinese embassy remarks over presence of ships in Juan Felipe Reef
MANILA, Philippines — Backing Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, the Department of Foreign Affairs on Monday disputed claims by the Chinese embassy over the continuing stay of Chinese vessels in the Juan Felipe Reef, nearly a month since being detected in the West Philippine Sea.
Beijing claimed that the ships were only staying in the area, part of the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, due to bad weather. It also denied that such were part of a maritime militia in the disputed waters.
But in a statement, the DFA called these as "blatant falsehoods" that sought to promote China's "expansive and illegitimate claims."
"The Department of Foreign Affairs strongly deplores the statement of the Chinese embassy spokesperson," the agency said.
Such comments came in the wake of a word war that dragged on between the embassy and Lorenzana, who reiterated last week his demand for the vessels to leave.
The Chinese Ambassador to the PH has a lot of explaining to do. There are still 44 Chinese vessels that are in Julian Felipe Reef. I am no fool. The weather has been good so far, so they have no reason to stay there. These vessels should be on their way out. Umalis na kayo diyan pic.twitter.com/7THOqXCmSu
— Delfin Lorenzana (@del_lorenzana) April 3, 2021
In it, China said the Juan Felipe Reef had long been its "tradition fishing grounds" as part of its territory, which the DFA rejected.
"Tradition yields to law whether or not it is regarded as traditional fishing," it added, citing the Hague ruling in 2016 as "clearly the only norm applicable" in the situation.
Statement by Spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines The Chinese Embassy has taken note of the...
Posted by Chinese Embassy Manila on Saturday, 3 April 2021
China has repeatedly ignored the ruling which invalidated its nine-dash line claim in the waters. It has also continued its aggression there over the years, despite the Duterte administration's fostering of close ties with Beijing.
The DFA echoed Lorenzana's call that China withdraw its vessels in the area, vowing that it will file a diplomatic protest "for every day of delay."
It also denounced the embassy's calling of the defense chief's statement as "unprofessional."
"Chinese embassy officials are reminded that they are guests of the Philippine government," the DFA said, "and as guests, must at all times observe protocol and accord respect to Philippine government officials."
The ships in the Juan Felipe Reef were first spotted on March 7. There had been a series of calls for the vessels to leave, including a diplomatic protest from the DFA.
While Lorenzana and the DFA have been vocal in the matter, President Rodrigo Duterte has essentially kept mum over it.
Malacañang said the president had raised the issue to Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian, but he has remained with no comment in public to date. — Christian Deiparine
The United States Navy's Nimitz-class nuclear powered supercarrier USS John C. Stennis continues underway in the South China Sea.
The US Pacific Command just reported that it has received "cargo" from support ship USNS Rainier in the disputed waters.
#GreatGreenFleet's USS @Stennis74 receives cargo from USNS #Rainier in the #SouthChinaSea - @US7thFleet pic.twitter.com/MnJWrow6Vv
— U.S. Pacific Command (@PacificCommand) June 10, 2016
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources conducts an aerial maritime inspection over Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc on Thursday, according to a report of PTV.
PTV says BFAR is checking if the southeast portion of Bajo de Mansinloc remains free from illegal and hazardous floating barriers.
Earlier this week, the Philippine Coast removed the chains surrounding the entrance of Bajo de Masinloc installed by the China Coast Guard. — PTV
The National Security Council condemns the installation of the floating barriers of the China Coast Guard in Bajo de Masinloc, PTV reports on Monday.
“It ruled categorically that such action by the PRC violated the traditional fishing rights of our fishermen in the shoal who have been fishing there for centuries," NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya says.
"Any State that prevents them from doing artisanal fishing there violates UNCLOS and international law, in general,” he adds.
PTV reports that BRP Antonio Luna of the Philippine Navy and HMCS Ottawa of the Royal Canadian Navy conducted a joint sail in the West Philippine Sea on Sept. 21.
“The joint sail is part of the Philippine Navy's regular engagements with its partners in the Philippines' maritime zones. Bravo Zulu to all the personnel of both ships and those who planned this activity," Ltc Enrico Gil Ileto, Public Affairs AFP chief says.
WATCH: BRP Antonio Luna of the Philippine Navy and HMCS Ottawa of the Royal Canadian Navy conducted a joint sail in the West Philippine Sea on Sept. 21. (????: AFP Wescom) | via Bea Bernardo (1/2) pic.twitter.com/DmJguzJSiF
— PTVph (@PTVph) September 22, 2023
Ahead of the second State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand Marcis Jr, the descendants of the Bai sa Condor and Anta sa Tebouk, on behalf of the Iranun in the Philippines composed of 16 sultans, formally declares ownership of the Spratly Islands and the Scarborough Shoals as patrimony from their ancestors.
The declaration of ownership is led by Sultan Tomas Reyes Cabili, Jr. as part of the advocacy of the Tomas Ll. Cabili Foundation (TLC Foundation).
"TLC Foundation is doing this for our country’s sake as a whole on our claim for what is ours. Not just for our Muslim brothers and the Moro Origins of Mindanao (IRANUN), BUT for all the Filipinos - and the next generations to come. All the Philippines’ descendants of the Iranunis unfurling the historical dimension of the Spratlys and the ScarboroughShoals to strengthen the Philippines' claim on them and complement the theoretical frameworks already presented in the United Nations," Cabili says.
Raymond Powell, project lead at the Gordion Knot Center for National Security Innovation, tweets that China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels "maneuvered dangerously close" to two Philippine Coast Guard ships on a resupply mission at Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea last week.
In a tweet, Powell identifies the ships as BRP Malabrigo and BRP Malapascua. He says these were escorting a small-boat resupply mission to the Philippines' outpost aboard BRP Sierra Madre and were met by an armada of CCG and militia ships, as well as a possible navy vessel.
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