(UPDATE) THE Department of Foreign Affairs has filed a diplomatic protest over China’s plan to create a nature reserve in Scarborough Shoal, or Bajo de Masinloc, in the West Philippine Sea, and won backing from the United States and the European Union.
“The department filed a protest yesterday (Friday), which is a strong, unequivocal and formal articulation of [The Philippines’] objections to the [China] action,” Assistant Secretary and spokesman Angelica Escalona said in a message to reporters on Saturday.
The Chinese State Council earlier said that it will establish a national nature reserve in Huangyan Island, which is the Chinese name of Scarborough.
Beijing said that the creation of the reserve was “an important measure for maintaining the diversity, stability, and sustainability of the natural ecosystem of Huangyan Island.”
Chinese state media also said that the establishment of the reserve demonstrates “China’s commitment in protecting the marine environment.”
The reserve is expected to cover 3,500 hectares, including a core zone of more than 1,200 hectares and an experimental zone of 2,281 hectares.
DFA said in an earlier statement that Beijing’s actions are “illegitimate and unlawful,” and said the plan “clearly infringes upon the rights and interests of the Philippines in accordance with international law.”
It added that Bajo de Masinloc is a “longstanding and integral part of the Philippines over which it has sovereignty and jurisdiction.”
“The Philippines likewise has the exclusive authority to establish environmental protection areas over its territory and relevant maritime zones,” it said.
Manila has called on Beijing to respect the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the Philippines over Bajo de Masinloc, refrain from enforcing, and immediately withdraw its State Council issuance and comply with its obligations under international law.
This includes the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos), the final and binding 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, and the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC).
In a statement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington backs Manila in its protest against Beijing.
“Beijing claiming Scarborough Reef as a nature preserve is yet another coercive attempt to advance sweeping territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea at the expense of its neighbors, including by preventing Filipino fishermen from accessing these traditional fishing grounds. China’s actions at Scarborough Reef continue to undermine regional stability,” Rubio said.
Rubio also calls on Beijing to abide by the arbitral ruling, which he said is “final and legally binding” on both countries.
The European Union Delegation in Manila conveyed its support for the Philippines’ maritime entitlements in Scarborough Shoal.
In a statement on Saturday, the delegation urged parties to refrain from taking unilateral actions that may “alter the status quo” in the area.
“The EU stands in support of Philippine maritime entitlements and sovereign rights under international law, as upheld by the Arbitral Tribunal in 2016. We urge all parties to respect the 2016 Arbitration Award and Unclos (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea),” it said, from a quoted repost of the Philippine government’s objection to the Chinese move.
“Disputes should be resolved peacefully and any attempt to alter the status quo in disputed waters by unilateral action must be avoided,” it added.
The Chinese government publicized on Wednesday its State Council’s “approval” of the Chinese Ministry of Natural Resources’ request to establish the reserve in the Scarborough Shoal, which it plans to call the Huangyan Dao National Nature Reserve.
Bajo de Masinloc is a longstanding and integral part of the Philippines, over which it has sovereignty and jurisdiction. RED MENDOZA, PNA, AFP
