Maritime Council rejects China’s Bajo de Masinloc ‘nature reserve’ claim
File photo of a Chinese frigate conducting “aggressive and unsafe” maneuvers against a Filipino naval vessel, the BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS-35), which was conducting lawful maritime operations in Bajo de Masinloc, West Philippine Sea (WPS) on May 5, 2025. Screengrab from video of BRP Emilio Jacinto.
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has rejected China’s move to declare Bajo de Masinloc, or Scarborough Shoal, a “national nature reserve,” describing it as an attempt to tighten Beijing’s control of the disputed feature.
In a statement dated on Friday but released to reporters on Saturday, the National Maritime Council said the declaration was “another deceptive veneer” meant to justify China’s continued presence at the shoal and deflect responsibility for widespread reef damage that the 2016 arbitral tribunal attributed to giant clam harvesting.
“Bajo de Masinloc is a long-standing and integral part of the sovereign territory of the Philippines,” the council said.
READ: PH-officials-unlawful-for-china-to-declare-nature-reserve-at-disputed-shoal/
It urged Beijing to respect Philippine sovereignty and comply with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) and the arbitral award, which affirmed Filipino fisherfolk’s rights to the area.
The council warned that Beijing’s latest move threatens regional peace and stability and called for a “conducive atmosphere through dialogue and diplomacy” to ease tensions and allow for constructive engagement in the West Philippine Sea.
Beijing announced on Wednesday that China’s State Council had approved the creation of the “Huangyan Island National Nature Reserve” at the shoal, which has been the site of frequent confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and the National Security Council earlier also denounced Beijing’s move, calling it a violation of international law and the 2016 arbitral ruling that rejected China’s sweeping claims over the West Philippine Sea.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also voiced on Friday support for Manila, saying Beijing’s latest action “continues to undermine regional stability” and urging China to comply with the tribunal’s legally binding decision.
Scarborough Shoal, located about 120 nautical miles off Zambales and well within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, has been under Chinese control since a 2012 standoff. /mr
