Philippines rejects ‘misleading’ foreign claims on South China Sea boundaries

THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday rejected what it called misleading claims by certain countries about the extent of Philippine territory in the South China Sea, saying these distort historical and legal facts.

- By Adrian H. Halili

“Some countries have been articulating an erroneous opinion that intentionally misreads certain treaties upon which the extent of Philippine territory is partly based,” it said in a statement, without naming the countries involved.

The agency said it remains vigilant against any effort to spread misinformation about the Philippines’ territorial boundaries. “It will continue to assert and preserve its territorial integrity, and strongly uphold its sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in accordance with international law,” the DFA said.

‘The agency said the Philippines has full sovereignty over its archipelago and other territories, including Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) and the high-tide features of the Kalayaan Island Group (Spratly Islands).

It said the country’s rights to these maritime features are “incontrovertible and firmly founded on international law, legal principles, effective control and recognition through international treaties and agreements.”

The DFA cited the 1898 Treaty of Paris and the 1900 Treaty of Washington as defining instruments that established the limits of Philippine sovereignty.