DFA rejects China claim over waters off Batanes

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs “firmly and strongly” rejected yesterday the Chinese embassy’s assertion that China has sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the waters off Batanes.

In a statement issued after a Chinese research boat was monitored in the area before the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) drove it away, the DFA emphasized that the foreign vessel was illegally operating within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines.

The DFA noted that Chinese research and survey vessel Jia Hai Ke 7 was detected operating approximately 37 nautical miles northwest of Itbayat, Batanes.

“The Department affirms that the Philippine Coast Guard was conducting lawful and routine law enforcement operations in response to a suspected unauthorized Marine Scientific Research (MSR) activity in the waters off Batanes.”

Under Article 246 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the DFA said “marine scientific research in the EEZ and on the continental shelf shall be conducted with the consent of the coastal State.”

“The Philippines did not receive any request from the Chinese side and no consent has been given to any Chinese vessel,” it added.

The DFA gave assurance that the Philippines “will continue to uphold the country’s sovereign rights and jurisdiction in its EEZ peacefully and responsibly in accordance with international law.”

China rejects DFA statement

The Chinese embassy in Manila issued its own declaring that it “firmly rejects the statement issued by the DFA.”

“China reiterates that, in accordance with international law, including UNCLOS, China has sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the relevant waters,” it argued.

The Chinese embassy said that in accordance with the provisions of UNCLOS Articles 74 and 83, as well as a so-called consensus reached between China and the Philippines, the matter should be properly resolved through negotiations.

It said a PCG vessel “harassed the Chinese scientific research vessel conducting normal operations in waters under China’s jurisdiction.”

“China has taken, and will continue to take, necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests,” the embassy said.

Academic infection

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. has expressed concern over how China may be trying to influence Filipino students on issues concerning territory and sovereignty.

In a podcast interview with Ray Powell and Jim Carouso, he was asked about a claim by so-called Chinese scholars that Batanes belongs to China.

“I think that’s state-sponsored, the timing was ill-released,” Teodoro said.

He said such narratives are not about political influence but are rather meant “to infect the academic environment.”

He said it is “something I’m extremely concerned with and we are working with the national security in order to scope it out.” — Bella Cariaso