DFA objects to Taiwan’s ‘live fire drills’ off Ligaw Island
THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) yesterday “strongly object” Taiwan’s live-fire drills within the vicinity of Ligaw Island, located in the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea (SCS)”
In a statement on Tuesday night, the DFA said, “the Philippines expresses its strong objection over the unlawful live-fire drills to be conducted by Taiwan (China) on 28 to 29 June 2022 within the vicinity of Ligaw Island.”
The DFA stressed this “illegal activity” raises tensions and complicates the situation in the South China Sea.
Ligaw island is an integral part of the Kalayaan Island Group over which the Philippines has sovereignty.
It is also known as Itu Aba, the largest feature in the disputed Spratly Islands in the SCS.
The Hague, in 2016, ruled, among others, that Itu Aba does not entitle any claimant to a 370-kilometer exclusive economic zone, precluding any overlap with the Philippines’ nearest coast in Palawan.
