Manalo: China’s detention policy in SCS ‘unacceptable, has no legal basis’

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo. —Photo by Gabriel Pabico Lalu, INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo on Wednesday said China’s new policy to detain without trial foreigners “illegally crossing” its “borders” is unacceptable.

Speaking to reporters in a press conference, Manalo said China’s policy has “no legal basis.”

“The president made it very clear, that announcement by China is unacceptable. In my view, [it] has no legal basis,” said Manalo.

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“There’s no legal basis for that. What’s even more worrying is that it does not only affect the Philippines; theoretically, it will affect every country in the world,” he emphasized.

China has claimed much of the South China Sea, which overlaps with the West Philippine Sea.

An article published by the South China Morning Post on May 16 detailed the new regulation, which will take effect on June 15, 2024.

“Beijing has fleshed out the Chinese coastguard’s powers to detain foreigners suspected of illegally crossing borders, rolling out regulations on Wednesday that stipulate suspects can be held for up to 60 days without trial, amid rising tensions in the South China Sea,” the article reads.

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“We will have to see if they… if China implements [it]. As I have said, this is an issue that goes beyond just the Philippines… so I hope other countries will also speak [up],” Manalo added.