Int’l community backs PH protest vs China’s nature reserve plan

Several members of the diplomatic community in the Philippines stood by Manila as it filed a diplomatic protest against China’s plan to build a national nature reserve in the heavily contested Scarborough Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc) in the West Philippine Sea.

- By RAYMUND ANTONIO and HANNAH TORREGOZA

Ambassadors Franz-Michael Skjold Mellbin of Denmark, Endo Kazuya of Japan, David Hartman of Canada, as well as the Delegation of European Union (EU) to the Philippines took to social media to raise concern over China latest pronouncement.

"Deeply concerned at #China's plans to establish a so-called "National Nature Reserve" at Scarborough Reef and call on all parties to respect the 2016 #UNCLOS Tribunal's unanimous decision that Filipino fishermen have the right to traditional fishing at #Scarborough Reef," Melbin said on X (formerly Twitter).

Endo also went on X to reiterate the legally binding 2016 Arbitral Award that invalidated the basis of China's claims in the resource-rich region.

"Seriously concerned over the China's recent announcement that could undermine regional stability in the South China Sea. Reiterate 2016 Arbitral award is final and legally binding, and the parties are required to comply with it," the envoy wrote.

Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan likewise joined the expression of resentment to China's plan, maintaining that the Philippines has ownership of this maritime asset.