MANILA, Philippines — Citing the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 arbitral award, the Philippines refuted China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for claiming that Escoda Shoal is part of China’s Nansha Islands, saying the disputed shoal is a maritime territory with the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
On Friday, Beijing’s Foreign Ministry claimed that the unauthorized entry and extended presence of Philippine Coast Guard vessels in the lagoon of Xianbin Jiao (the Chinese name for Escoda Shoal) constitute a serious violation of China’s sovereignty.
This action, according to China, contravenes the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and poses a significant threat to peace and stability in the region.
PCG spokesman for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said in a statement citing the UNCLOS and 2016 Hague ruling in favor of the Philippines that PCG vessels could stay for as long as they want in the area even without permission from any other country because it’s within the Philippines’ EEZ.
“Our Philippine Coast Guard vessels have the right to operate within the lagoon of Escoda Shoal for as long as necessary, without requiring permission from any other country,” he said.
He also criticized Beijing for citing the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, arguing that China has not adhered to its provisions and has instead destabilized the region by deploying large coast guard and militia vessels.
“China should stop citing the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, as they have not honored or followed a single provision of that declaration. As far as the region is concerned, it is only Beijing that constantly violates this declaration,” said Tarriela.
These actions also contributed to the escalating tensions in the maritime region, he said.
The statement came just days after the Philippines decried China’s latest attack against local authorities when a Philippine Air Force aircraft, an NC-212i light transport plane, encountered eight rounds of flares fired by Chinese fighter jets last August 8, which allegedly flew at a “very close” distance.
China has justified the use of flares, claiming that the PAF aircraft “illegally” entered the airspace over Huangyan Dao, the Chinese designation for Panatag Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said last week that Manila has now filed a diplomatic protest against China’s recent attacks. Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo said the country was “surprised” by China’s recent actions, especially since Beijing had repeatedly claimed it wanted to “de-escalate” tensions in the disputed maritime area.
Data from the Philippine Navy showed that from August 6 to 12, there was a noticeable increase in the number of vessels in the West Philippine Sea. Specifically, nine People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ships and 13 China Coast Guard vessels were observed, up from six PLAN ships and 12 CCGVs the previous week.
Two China Research and Survey Vessels were also sighted, compared to just one CRS vessel the week before. There were also 68 China Maritime Militia Vessels which had been reportedly patrolling in the area but this number was a significant drop from the 106 reported in the prior week, it said.
Here is the breakdown of Chinese vessels spotted by authorities in the West Philippine Sea as of August 14:
CCGVs spotted in the WPS (13 vessels):
– 3 in Bajo de Masinloc
– 5 in Ayungin Shoal
– 2 in Pagasa Island
– 3 in Sabina Shoal
PLAN ships spotted (9 ships):
– 1 in Ayungin Shoal
– 2 in Pagasa Island
– 1 in Likas Island
– 1 in Patag Island
– 3 in Sabina Shoal
– 1 in Iroquois Reef
CMMVs spotted (68 vessels):
– 6 in Bajo de Masinloc
– 4 in Ayungin Shoal
– 37 in Pagasa Island
– 2 in Lawak Island
– 6 in Panata Island
– 13 in Sabina Shoal
CRSVs spotted (2 vessels):
– 1 in Ayungin Shoal
– 1 in Patag Island
