PH airs concerns over China’s reclamation in Spratlys
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday expressed concern over China’s latest reported reclamation activities in some unoccupied features in the Spratly Islands in the disputed areas in the South China Sea.
The DFA’s statement was issued after Bloomberg reported that China is constructing on several unoccupied land features in the contested waters, citing warnings from Western officials that these latest activities indicate an “attempt to advance a new status quo, even though it’s too early to know whether China would seek to militarize them.”
Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said the DFA is checking the veracity of the report with relevant Philippine government agencies.
“The department takes note of the Bloomberg article on reported reclamation activities by China in unoccupied features of the Spratlys. We are seriously concerned as such activities contravene the Declaration of Conduct on the South China Sea’s (DOC) undertaking on self-restraint and the 2016 Arbitral Award,” she said in a statement Wednesday. “We have asked relevant Philippine agencies to verify and validate the contents of this report.”
In 2002, China and the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states signed the DOC and made a commitment to exercise self-restraint from conducting activities, including “refraining from action of inhabiting on the presently uninhabited islands, reefs, shoals, cays, and other features” in the contested territory to prevent escalation of disputes that would affect peace and stability in the region.
Meanwhile, Daza said the DFA is prepared to lodge diplomatic protest once reports are verified on the alleged swarming of Chinese vessels near Iroquois Reef and Sabina Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
“What I know is DFA is awaiting official reports and will take appropriate diplomatic action once violations have been verified,” Daza said.
Western Command chief Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos confirmed that dozens of Chinese vessels have been moving much closer to Palawan since early this year.
A total of 193 notes verbales were lodged against China, 65 of which were done under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
