DFA rejects China’s claim over waters off Batanes
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday rejected China’s claim of sovereign rights and jurisdiction over waters off Batanes where the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) confronted a Chinese research vessel.
DFA also cited a separate incident, this time near Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, where it said China conducted a flag-raising ceremony.
The DFA said Chinese research vessel Jia Hai Ke 7 was conducting unauthorized marine scientific research within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), adding that the PCG conducted “lawful and routine law enforcement operations” in response.
“The Department firmly and strongly rejects the Chinese Embassy’s assertion that China has sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the waters off Batanes,” the DFA said in a statement.
The Chinese Embassy earlier maintained that Jia Hai Ke 7 was conducting normal operations in waters where Beijing claims sovereign rights and jurisdiction. It also accused the Philippines of harassing the vessel.
Radio challenges
Jia Hai Ke 7 had been detected about 69 kilometers northwest of Itbayat, Batanes.
PCG said Jia Hai Ke 7 left its position northwest of Itbayat at around 11:42 a.m. on Oct. 1, the first time it moved from the area since the Coast Guard confirmed its presence on Sept. 28.
PCG then deployed the 97-meter BRP Teresa Magbanua and an aircraft after the Chinese vessel repeatedly ignored radio challenges to leave the Philippine EEZ.
The Teresa Magbanua approached Jia Hai Ke 7 and deployed a rigid-hull inflatable boat that circled the research vessel as Coast Guard personnel continued issuing radio challenges.
No consent
Another Chinese vessel, Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) 2503. later arrived and issued radio challenges against the Teresa Magbanua while the Philippine vessel continued monitoring Jia Hai Ke 7.
Rear Adm. Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson on the West Philippine Sea, said earlier Jia Hai Ke 7 had displayed movement patterns associated with marine scientific research, although Philippine authorities had yet to determine the specific nature of its activities.
PCG had also raised concern over the vessel’s proximity to submarine cable routes in the Luzon Strait.
The Coast Guard said it would continue monitoring Jia Hai Ke 7.
DFA, citing Article 246 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, said marine scientific research within a coastal state’s EEZ and continental shelf requires the coastal state’s consent.
“The Philippines did not receive any request from the Chinese side and no consent has been given to any Chinese vessel to conduct MSR,” DFA said, as it called on China to fulfill its obligations under international law and avoid actions that could undermine efforts to rebuild mutual trust.
“The Philippines will continue to uphold the country’s sovereign rights and jurisdiction in its EEZ peacefully and responsibly in accordance with international law,” it said.
Flag-raising by CCG
DFA also questioned CCG’s flag-raising ceremony near Panatag Shoal on Oct. 1, China’s National Day, as shown by a video posted on X (formerly Twitter) by the Chinese Embassy.
Panatag, also called Bajo de Masinloc, lies about 220 kilometers west of Zambales and within the Philippines’ EEZ.
“The Philippines has indivisible, incontrovertible and longstanding sovereignty over Bajo de Masinloc (BDM). No flag raising event of any country can change the Philippines’ sovereignty and jurisdiction over BDM,” DFA spokesperson for maritime affairs Rogelio Villanueva Jr. told the Inquirer.
“China’s assertion of sovereignty over the entire South China Sea has no basis in fact, no basis in history, and no basis in international law,” he said.
Tarriela, in his response, said: “The China Coast Guard’s National Day flag-raising ceremony near Bajo de Masinloc, described as ‘keeping watch over China’s maritime sovereignty,’ is a misleading portrayal of the reality on the ground.”
He also rejected Beijing’s characterization of its activities around the shoal as law enforcement.
“Their use of water cannons and dangerous maneuvers against Filipino fishermen and Philippine government vessels is not law enforcement. It is coercion meant to impose an illegal claim,” he said.
