S𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗮'𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗮𝗷𝗼 𝗱𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 "𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲"

 

The National Maritime Council firmly rejects China’s approval on the declaration of Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) as “Huangyan Island Nature Reserve.”

Bajo de Masinloc is a long standing and integral part of the sovereign territory of the Philippines. The recent Chinese declaration is another deceptive veneer that attempts to legalize its illegitimate and unfounded claim over the shoal.

It also aims to cover up China’s accountability over the severe damage to the shoal’s marine ecosystem, which was already confirmed in the 2016 Arbitral Award as caused by China’s State-sanctioned wide-scale giant clam harvesting and coral reef destruction.

The declaration is also meant to support China’s continuing illegal action of depriving Filipino fisherfolk of their traditional fishing rights at the shoal, in violation of international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award.

We strongly urge China to respect the Philippines’ sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction, and the traditional fishing rights of Filipino fisherfolk, and to cease actions that violate international law and endanger regional peace and stability. We call on China to positively contribute to creating a conducive atmosphere through dialogue and diplomacy that reduces tensions and provides the space for constructive engagement in the maritime domain.