The China Coast Guard (CCG) on Tuesday issued a radio challenge to a Philippine civilian ship and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels en route to Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea.
“According to China’s domestic law and international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, China has [indisputable] sovereignty over islands in the South China Sea and adjacent waters. The so-called South China Sea arbitration is illegal. China neither accepts nor recognizes this,” the CCG said.
Minutes later, the PCG responded to this, asserting its rights within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
“In accordance with Republic Act 12064, the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, of which you are a signatory state, and the 2016 arbitral award, you do not possess any legal authority to patrol within the Philippine exclusive economic zone. You are directed to depart immediately and notify us of your attention,” the PCG said, as heard on the radio of training ship (T/S) Felix Oca.
