Map showing the disputed areas in the West Philippine Sea (south China Sea), including the Spratlys Islands and Scarborough Shoal. AFP
MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines on Monday sent its seventh note verbale or diplomatic communication to the Chinese government over its “continuing actions that escalate tension in the disputed Bajo de Masinloc” or Scarborough Shoal.
Raul Hernandez, Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, said on Wednesday that around 7 p.m. last Monday, there were five Chinese government vessels, 16 fishing boats and 56 utility boats in the area.
As of Tuesday, there were still 16 Chinese fishing vessels and the number of utility boats went up to 76, Hernandez said in a news briefing.
“It is regretabble that these actions occurred at a time when China has been articulating for a de-escalation of tensions and while the two sides have been discussing how to diffuse the situation in the area,” he said.
“The Philippines, therefore demands that China’s vessels immediately pull out from Bajo de Masinloc and the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and for China to refrain from taking further actions that exacerbate the situation in the West Philippine Sea,” he added.
Bajo de Masinloc is how the department refers to the Scarborough Shoal, which the Philippine military refers to as Panatag Shoal.