PH files another protest vs China over Ayungin Shoal incidents
The Philippines has protested China's "illegal" maritime activities anew in the Ayungin Shoal, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) revealed late Friday, June 10.
In a series of tweets, the DFA said it protested the following incidents involving China in the said area:
- China's illegal fishing
- Shadowing of China Coast Guard vessels of Philippine boats on a rotation and reprovision mission
- Installation of buoys and fish nets that blocked the shoal's entrance
The DFA reiterated that the Ayungin Shoal is within the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and that China cannot conduct any activity there.
"The 2016 Arbitral Award affirmed that Ayungin Shoal is within Philippines EEZ and continental shelf," it said Friday.
"China has no right to fish, monitor, or interfere with the Philippines' legitimate activities therein," it added.
READ: The DFA has lodged today another protest over recent incidents in Ayungin Shoal, including China’s illegal fishing, shadowing of China Coast Guard vessels of Philippine boats on a rotation & reprovision mission, and... (1/3)@teddyboylocsin
— DFA Philippines (@DFAPHL) June 10, 2022
The DFA then asked China to fulfill its obligations under international law and the 2016 Arbitral Award, which China continues to reject.
"The Philippines calls on China to comply with its obligations under international law, including UNCLOS and the Arbitral Award," it said.
On Thursday, the DFA protested the return of over 100 Chinese Vessels to the Julian Felipe Reef in the West Philippine Sea.
According to the DFA, the vessels were illegally operating in the area, a low-tide elevation within the territorial sea of relevant high tide features in the Kalayaan Island Group, including the Chigua Reef, on April 4, 2022.