DFA: Presence of Chinese vessels off Pag-Asa ‘illegal’
THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in a statement on Thursday said “the presence of Chinese vessels near and around Pag-asa (Islands) and other maritime features in the KIG (Kalayaan Islands Group) is illegal.”
DFA described the islands group west of Palawan as “an integral part of the Philippines over which it has sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction.”
The statement read further, “Such actions (the presence of Chinese vessels) are a clear violation of Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction, as defined under international law including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).”
“Moreover, it has been observed that Chinese vessels have been present in large numbers and for sustained and recurring periods‚ what is commonly referred to as ‘swarming’ tactics‚ raising questions about their intent as well as concerns over their role in support of coercive objectives,” DFA also said.
It added: “Such actions when not repudiated by the Chinese government are deemed to have been adopted by it.”
“The presence of Chinese vessels within the KIG, whether military, fishing or other vessels, will thus continue to be the subject of appropriate action by the Philippines.”
“For the record, the Philippines has consistently manifested its position on the Pag-asa Islands and on the KIG, and its objections or concerns over illegal, tension-raising or coercive activities, through diplomatic actions, including notes, verbals, and in meetings with the Chinese side, including the Philippines-China Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM).”
The DFA called on “concerned parties to desist from any action and activity that contravenes the ASEAN-China Declaration on the Conduct (DOC) of Parties in the South China Sea, as these generate tension, mistrust and uncertainty, and threatens regional peace and stability.”
It also called for “the full and effective implementation of the DOC. We cannot emphasize enough the imperative to build and promote mutual trust and confidence, to exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities; and to avoid actions that may further complicate the situation and undermine peace, security and stability in the region.”
“The Joint Statement issued by the Philippines and China on the occasion of last year’s State Visit of President Xi Jinping to the Philippines includes an agreement by both sides to exercise self-restraint with respect to activities in the South China Sea that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability. We call on the Chinese government to adhere to this consensus reached at the highest levels, down to its agencies and its military,” the DFA also said.
