PH Navy to China: We are authorized to challenge ships in West PH Sea

Chinese boats fish at the disputed Scarborough Shoal April 5, 2017. Picture taken April 5, 2017 REUTERS/Erik De Castro

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Navy on Monday slammed China’s claim that a Philippine frigate had “illegally intruded” in Scarborough Shoal, saying Philippine law enforcement ships are authorized to challenge any vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

China’s Southern Theatre Navy alleged that the purported intrusion of a Philippine frigate “seriously violated” Chinese sovereignty and laws.

READ: China navy says PH frigate illegally entered Scarborough Shoal waters

Navy spokesperson for the WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said the report is part of China’s efforts to “malign information.”

“These are all part of shaping or malign information operations more likely for their internal audience,” Trinidad said in a message to reporters on Monday.

“Only the Philippine Navy and other Philippine-flagged law enforcement ships have the authority and legal bases to challenge any ship w/in maritime zones,” he added.

In a separate statement, the Navy said its BRP Apolinario Mabini (PS-36) conducted a routine and lawful maritime patrol in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc.

Navy reiterated that it is “in accordance with the Philippine Constitution and Republic Act 12064 or the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and consistent with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 Arbitral Award.”

“The vessel traveled on its planned route and completed its mission,” it added.

Navy reiterated that Bajo de Masinloc is an integral part of the Philippine national territory under the Constitution.

“The Philippines exercises sovereignty over the shoal and its territorial sea. The Philippines also has sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the waters adjacent to the shoal, which form part of the Philippine EEZ,” it said.

“We remain committed to protecting our sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction, and to upholding the rules-based international order,” it added.

Based on reports, the Chinese Navy said it “monitored and drove the [Philippine] vessel away.”

Moreover, it urged the Philippine side to immediately stop the “infringement and provocation.”

Since January, Philippine authorities monitored the movements of Chinese Coast Guard vessels “unlawfully operating” within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

Beijing’s continued aggression in the WPS was based on its assertion of sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, including most of the WPS, as it continues to reject the 2016 arbitral ruling that effectively dismissed its claims and ruled in favor of Manila.