ni Mary Gutierrez Almirañez | April 23, 2021
Dalawang diplomatic protests ang isinampa ng Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) laban sa China hinggil sa 160 Chinese vessels na palaging namamataan sa West Philippine Sea.
Ayon sa DFA, "The vessels were observed within the territorial sea of high tide features in the Kalayaan Island Group, in the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and in and around the territorial waters of Bajo de Masinloc."
Bukod sa 160 Chinese vessels, kabilang din sa sinampahan ng diplomatic protest ang lima pang Chinese Coast Guard vessels na may bow numbers: 3103, 3301, 3305, 5101 at 5203 na namataan sa teritoryo ng Pag-asa Island, Bajo de Masinloc at Ayungin Shoal.
Paliwanag pa ng DFA, “Through these protests, the DFA reminded China that Bajo de Masinloc, Pag-asa Islands, Panata, Parola, Kota Islands, Chigua and Burgos Reefs are integral parts of the Philippines over which it has sovereignty and jurisdiction. The Philippines exercises sovereign rights and jurisdiction over Julian Felipe Reef and Ayungin Shoal."
Matatandaang ipinatawag ng DFA kamakailan si Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian upang iutos na alisin nito ang mga illegal Chinese vessels na namamalagi sa teritoryo ng ‘Pinas at para mapag-usapan ang tungkol sa international law, kabilang ang 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
"The continued swarming and threatening presence of the Chinese vessels creates an atmosphere of instability and is a blatant disregard of the commitments by China to promote peace and stability in the region," sabi pa ng DFA.