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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH, China have no overlapping claims over West PH Sea — maritime affairs spox

PH, China have no overlapping claims over West PH Sea — maritime affairs spox

Published Mar 5, 2026 10:40 am
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Maritime Affairs spokesman Rogelio Villanueva
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Maritime Affairs spokesman Rogelio Villanueva
The Philippines and China have no overlapping claims in the South China Sea, as international law has already set which parts of the vast sea belong to each, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Maritime Affairs spokesman Rogelio Villanueva said.
Villanueva made it clear in a press conference on Wednesday, March 4, that the historic rights based on the so-called nine-dash-line being claimed by China to assert its claim over the entire South China Sea "are without legal effect."
He said that the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award "has definitely settled that UNCLOS already defined the scope of maritime entitlements of the Philippines and China in the South China Sea."
"And that these entitlements may not extend beyond the limits imposed therein," he said.
"There are no valid overlapping maritime claims between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea," he added.
Villanueva said that the agency will firmly and consistently uphold the Philippines’ national interest and remain vigilant in protecting our sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction.
​But he reiterated that the DFA will continue to use effective diplomacy ​"as the bigger tool in the Philippine government’s toolbox in order to peacefully manage the situation at sea​."
​It will also do so to "uphold the welfare of our naval and maritime personnel and artisanal fishermen, and avoid misunderstanding and miscalculation in the conduct of the Philippines’ routine maritime operations in all its maritime zones, including in the West Philippine Sea.​"

Related Tags

PH-China South China Sea West Philippine Sea DFA Rogelio Villanueva
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