The Philippine government reaffirmed its stance on Thursday, contradicting the Chinese Embassy in Manila by asserting that Filipino activities on Pag-asa Island and the surrounding Pag-asa Cays are entirely lawful.
In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) emphasized that Pag-asa Island and the Pag-asa Cays are part of the Kalayaan Island Group. The DFA underscored that these areas are integral to Philippine territory, over which the nation has maintained longstanding sovereignty and jurisdiction.
“The Philippines is clearly within its rights to conduct routine maritime operations and scientific research in and around these features, and will continue to do so,” said the DFA.
The agency likewise emphasized that the actions of Philippine authorities in the area are a valid exercise of Philippine sovereignty and consistent with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award.
“China has no right to object much less interfere with these lawful and routine activities,” the DFA added.
With this, the Philippine government urged China anew to respect the Philippines’ sovereignty and jurisdiction, “even as we continue to pursue peaceful and legal means to manage differences and the situation at sea.”
China’s continued aggression in Philippine waters is borne out of a sweeping claim over most of the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea.
Parts of the South China Sea that fall within Philippine territory have been renamed by the government as West Philippine Sea to reinforce the country’s claim.
The West Philippine Sea refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago including Luzon Sea and the waters around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc.
