PH to file protest over China’s fresh violations in disputed sea

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) plans to file a diplomatic protest over reports of fresh violations by China in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

“We intend to file a diplomatic protest,” DFA secretary Albert del Rosario told reporters in an ambush interview Wednesday.

Defense secretary Voltaire Gazmin on Wednesday disclosed that China has committed “recent violations” in the disputed sea.

A navy aerial survey has found at least 75 concrete blocks in the area of Bajo de Masinloc, which could be a “prelude to construction,” according to Department of National Defense spokesman Peter Paul Galvez.

China claims the entire sea as its territory including the Spratlys group of islands near Palawan, Bajo de Masinloc (Panatag shoal or Scarborough shoal), and Ayungin shoal, all of which are within the Philippine’s 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone.

Previously the Philippines has filed diplomatic protests for incursions into the country’s territorial waters by Chinese fishing and maritime security ships.

The Philippines has also filed for arbitration proceedings under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (Unclos).

The Philippines is set to submit its position and arguments before the Arbitral Tribunal on March 30, 2014.

China has repeatedly refused to participate in arbitration proceedings and insisted on bilateral talks.