AFP Vows to Protect Maritime Rights Amid Reported Chinese Drills Near Scarborough Shoal

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday said it remains committed to protecting the country's territory and maritime rights following reports that China conducted joint naval and air combat drills near Scarborough Shoal (also called Bajo de Masinloc). In a statement, AFP spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said the military had been monitoring the reported activities in the area. "The AFP is aware of the reported naval-air combat drills in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc. These have been monitored and tracked," Trinidad said. "We remain committed to performing our mandate of protecting our territory and safeguarding our maritime rights and interests, consistent with the 2016 Arbitral Award, UNCLOS, and our national interest," he added. Trinidad pointed out that military exercises or demonstrations do not affect the Philippines' legal rights over maritime areas. "Military activities or demonstrations do not alter the legal status of maritime features or the Philippines' maritime entitlements under international law," he said. Reuters on Saturday reported that China's military and Coast Guard carried out joint air and naval combat drills around the disputed shoal, citing Chinese state media. According to the report, the exercises were conducted in the airspace and waters surrounding the feature, which China refers to as Huangyan Dao. The Chinese military said the drills were a necessary response to actions by "certain countries" that it claimed were undermining peace and stability in the region. Bajo de Masinloc is located 124 nautical miles off Masinloc, Zambales, and is considered within the Philippines' 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. Parts of the South China Sea that fall within Philippine territory have been renamed by the government as West Philippine Sea to reinforce the country’s claim. The West Philippine Sea refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago including Luzon Sea and the waters around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis." China has refused to recognize the decision. — RSJ, GMA News