PH rejects China’s ‘erroneous, misleading’ claims over Scarborough, engagement not a concession

Metro Manila, Philippines –  The Philippines rejected what it described as China’s “erroneous and misleading” claims over Scarborough Shoal, reaffirming its sovereignty over the feature and stressing that diplomatic engagement with Beijing does not amount to a concession of territorial rights.

In a press briefing on Monday,March 16, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson for Maritime Affairs Rogelio Villanueva said Philippine over Bajo de Masinloc, internationally known as Scarborough Shoal, and the Kalayaan Island Group remains “indivisible, incontrovertible and longstanding.”

“In response to the Chinese embassy’s erroneous and misleading statement issued on Saturday, 14 March 2026, the Department of Foreign Affairs firmly underscores the Philippines’ indivisible, incontrovertible and longstanding sovereignty over Bajo de Masinloc and the Kalayaan Island Group,” Villanueva said.

The DFA said the historical and legal basis of Philippine sovereignty over Scarborough Shoal is clear, pointing to centuries of administration and documentation..

“The historical and legal foundations of Philippine sovereignty over Bajo de Masinloc are unassailable,” Villanueva said.

“Sovereignty is not merely claimed – it is exercised. The Philippines has done precisely that, consistently and without interruption,” he added.

The DFA also rejected China’s sweeping claim over the South China Sea.

“The Philippines flatly rejects China’s assertion of indisputable sovereignty over the entire South China Sea,” the statement said. “This claim has no basis in fact, no basis in history, and no basis in international law. Full stop.”

The Chinese Embassy in Manila posted remarks on Facebook on March 14 criticizing Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela and reiterating Beijing’s claims in the South China Sea.

Chinese embassy deputy spokesperson Guo Wei said China has “indisputable sovereignty” over the South China Sea islands and surrounding waters.

“China’s position on the South China Sea is clear and consistent. China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nanhai Zhudao (the South China Sea Islands) and its surrounding waters, supported by historical and legal evidence,” Guo said in the post.

The DFA dismissed a document circulated by the Chinese embassy questioning Philippine claims over Scarborough Shoal, saying it would not engage in speculation over material of uncertain authenticity.

“As regards the recent letter posted by the Chinese Embassy in Manila, the DFA will not engage in conjecture or speculation over a document of uncertain origin and authenticity,” Villanueva said.

“There is no merit in debating supposed documentary artifacts produced by third parties and presented as posts on social media,” he added.

The Philippines, he said, has already established its maritime rights through international law, including the 2016 arbitral ruling under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

“The Philippines duly proved and established its maritime claims through the 2016 Arbitral Award, which has become an integral part of international law,” the statement said.

Despite the diplomatic exchange, the DFA said Manila remains committed to dialogue with Beijing as a way to manage tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

Villanueva said diplomacy should not be mistaken for compromise.

“While the Department welcomes the resumption of dialogue mechanisms with China as critical platforms for effective diplomacy, the Philippines makes one thing unequivocally clear: engagement is not concession,” he said.

“Our sovereignty is non-negotiable. Our resolve is absolute,” he added.