Ikinagalit ng Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) ang patuloy na pananatili ng mga Chinese vessels sa karagatang sakop ng Pilipinas.
Sa kalatas na inilabas ng DFA, hindi rin nila nagustuhan ang ginawang pagharang ng Chinese Coast Guard sa mga radio signals ng mga nagpapatrolyang Philippine Coast Guard.
Itinuturing pa ng DFA na isang seryosong usapin ang litaw ng mga barko Chinese Coast Guard sa Pag-asa island at Bajo de Masinloc ganon din sa exclusive economic zone ng bansa.
Paliwanag pa ng DFA na ang ginagawang maritime patrols at training exercises ng Philippine Coast Guard ay legal at isang routine act of sovereign country sa teritoryo nito.
Magugunitang ilang mga Chinese fishing vessels ang namataan sa Pag-asa Islands, Zamora Reef, Panata at Kota islands, Ayungin Shoal, Quirino Atoil at Bajo de Masinloc.
Maging si DFA Sec. Teodoro Locsin ay minura rin ang China sa kanyang social media account.
“The Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) and Bajo de Masinloc are integral parts of the Philippines over which it has sovereignty and jurisdiction. The Philippines’ conduct of maritime patrols and training exercises in these areas is a legitimate and routine act of a sovereign country in its territory and territorial waters and is part of the Philippines’ administrative responsibility,” ani DFA sa statement. “China has no law enforcement rights in these areas. The presence of Chinese Coast Guard vessels in the Philippines’ territorial waters of Pag-asa Islands and Bajo de Masinloc, and exclusive economic zone, raises serious concern. The unauthorized and lingering presence of these vessels is a blatant infringement of Philippine sovereignty. The Philippines calls on China to withdraw its government vessels around the KIG and Bajo de Masinloc and respect Philippine sovereignty.”
