PH files diplomatic protest against China over illegal seizure of Filipino fishermen's gear
Photo Credit: DFA Official Website
The Philippines has formally protested the Chinese Coast Guard’s seizure of fishing gear installed by Filipino fishermen in Bajo de Masinloc (also known as Scarborough or Panatag Shoal) off the coast of Zambales.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said the confiscation of the Filipino fishermen’s fishing aggregating devices, locally known as “payaos,” is illegal. The incident happened last May.
The department filed a diplomatic protest against China on Thursday.
DFA Undersecretary Eduardo Meñez said the filing of the diplomatic protest needed to go through a vetting process by the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea.
The DFA also said that the Philippines resolutely objected to China’s continuing illicit issuances of radio challenges to Philippine aircraft conducting legitimate regular maritime patrols in the West Philippine Sea.
The Philippines and China are locked in a maritime dispute, with Beijing claiming nearly the entire South China Sea and parts of the West Philippine Sea.
Scarborough Shoal is among the territories claimed by the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea.
Beijing also claims Scarborough Shoal as part of its territory under its so-called nine-dash line map.
But in July 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled as invalid Beijing’s expansive claim in the South China Sea.
China however refuses to recognize the ruling.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said the confiscation of the Filipino fishermen’s fishing aggregating devices, locally known as “payaos,” is illegal. The incident happened last May.
The department filed a diplomatic protest against China on Thursday.
DFA Undersecretary Eduardo Meñez said the filing of the diplomatic protest needed to go through a vetting process by the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea.
The DFA also said that the Philippines resolutely objected to China’s continuing illicit issuances of radio challenges to Philippine aircraft conducting legitimate regular maritime patrols in the West Philippine Sea.
The Philippines and China are locked in a maritime dispute, with Beijing claiming nearly the entire South China Sea and parts of the West Philippine Sea.
Scarborough Shoal is among the territories claimed by the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea.
Beijing also claims Scarborough Shoal as part of its territory under its so-called nine-dash line map.
But in July 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled as invalid Beijing’s expansive claim in the South China Sea.
China however refuses to recognize the ruling.
