MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines on Tuesday filed a diplomatic protest over China’s establishment of baselines around Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc (BDM) in the West Philippine Sea.
“A protest was filed. It was sent today,” said DFA spokesman Ma. Teresita Daza when asked whether the Philippines protested China’s move or summoned Chinese Ambassador to Manila Huang Xilian.
In a text message on Tuesday, Daza said that as of Nov. 12, 2024, the number of protests filed against China was 56.
“The total number of protests under President Marcos Jr. for the period July 1, 2022 to November 12, 2024 is 189,” Daza added.
Beijing made the announcement after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed on Nov. 8 Republic Act 12064 or the Philippine Maritime Zones Act to assert Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction over its maritime zones.
The National Maritime Council (NMC), in a statement, said these baselines were “drawn in violation of the Philippines’ long-established sovereignty over the shoal throughout history.”
“The Philippines strongly objects to the use of these baselines by China and resolutely maintains its right to declare the correct baselines of BDM,” the NCM said.
The Philippine Maritime Zones Act “is a legitimate exercise of the country’s right to determine and declare its maritime zones, consistent with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos),” the NCM said.
The NCM said establishment of the baselines by China around the shoal was “a continuation of its 2012 illegal seizure of the shoal, which the Philippines continues to strongly oppose.”
“Moreover, the use of straight baselines around the shoal by China contravenes Unclos and the final and binding 2016 Arbitral Award,” the Council said.
In July 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands invalidated China’s nine-dash line markings in the South China Sea which encroached the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
“Straight baselines can only be used in accordance with the criteria and conditions provided in Unclos, as explained in the 2016 Arbitral Award,” the NCM said.
“These conditions are not present in the case of BDM. Thus, the straight baselines established by China around the shoal are without any legal basis or effect,” it added.
The Philippines “reiterates that it has always had sovereignty and jurisdiction over BDM, and that its maritime zones are consistent with international law and do not impinge on the sovereignty or jurisdiction of other States,” the NCM said.
Be the first to comment