MANILA, Philippines- Walang legal na basehan ang bintang ng China na nanghimasok ang Philippine Navy warship BRP Conrado Yap (PS39) sa katubigan ng Scarborough Shoal nitong October 30, ayon sa Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) nitong Huwebes.
Sinabi ng DFA na layon lamang ng pahayag ng Southern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army na paigtingin ang tensyon sa West Philippine Sea.
“The Philippines’ conduct of maritime patrols in the waters around Bajo de Masinloc is a legitimate and routine act of a sovereign country in its territory and territorial sea and is part of the Philippines’ administrative responsibility,” pahayag ng DFA.
Bajo de Masinloc ang lokal na pangalan ng Scarborough Shoal.
“There is no obligation for the Philippines as the sovereign state to seek the approval of another when navigating its own territorial sea,” pahayag ng DFA. RNT/SA
