Metro Manila, Philippines – The government called on China to immediately end what it described as “illegal occupation and activities” at Panganiban Reef (Mischief Reef) and Zamora Reef (Subi Reef), asserting Philippine rights over the two features in the West Philippine Sea.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) issued the statement in response to remarks by Chinese embassy Deputy Spokesperson Guo Wei on Sept. 10, as Manila again invoked international law and the 2016 South China Sea arbitral ruling in rejecting Beijing’s activities at the reefs.
“We call on China to cease its illegal occupation and activities in Panganiban Reef and Zamora Reef immediately, and to abide by the final and binding 2016 Arbitral Award,” the DFA said.
The department said Panganiban Reef is a low-tide elevation within 200 nautical miles of the country’s archipelagic baselines, placing it within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf.
The 2016 arbitral tribunal ruled that Mischief Reef is a low-tide elevation (LTE) within the country’s EEZ and continental shelf.
The DFA said the feature is not land territory that may be claimed or appropriated by any state under international law.
“The Department of Foreign Affairs reaffirms the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction over Panganiban Reef (Mischief Reef),” it said.
The DFA separately asserted Philippine sovereignty over Zamora Reef, saying the low-tide elevation lies within 12 nautical miles of Philippine-held Pag-asa Island and its cays and therefore forms part of Pag-asa’s territorial sea.
“Zamora Reef, another LTE, located within the territorial sea of Pag-asa, remains to be subject to Philippine sovereignty,” the department said.
China has constructed large artificial islands and facilities on both Mischief and Subi reefs as part of its extensive reclamation activities in the South China Sea.
The DFA said Beijing’s construction activities do not create new maritime entitlements or alter the reefs’ legal status.
“Such illegal activities of China do not in any way change the legal status of Mischief Reef and Subi Reef as LTEs,” the agency said.
The Philippines won its landmark arbitration case against China in 2016, with the tribunal rejecting the legal basis for Beijing’s expansive claims to historic rights within its so-called nine-dash line. China has refused to recognize the ruling.
The DFA said it would continue asserting Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea and defending the country’s maritime interests before the international community.
The department also said it “reserves the right to take the appropriate diplomatic action” once it receives an official report from Philippine security agencies.
