The Philippine Navy has categorically denied recent reports alleging that China conducted military exercises in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc, a strategic shoal in the West Philippine Sea. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, clarified that what was observed was not a coordinated military drill but rather a "dispersed presence" of Chinese maritime and aerial forces.
Dispelling False Narratives
Trinidad emphasized that an exercise typically involves synchronized maneuvers by multiple forces, which was not the case in this instance. Instead, the Philippine Navy monitored the separate activities of the China Coast Guard, the People's Liberation Army Navy, and the People's Liberation Army Air Force in the area. He asserted that reports of Chinese military exercises are part of Beijing's ongoing efforts to spread a "false narrative and malign influence" aimed at projecting an illusion of control over Bajo de Masinloc.
Asserting Philippine Sovereignty
Reaffirming the Philippines' sovereign rights, Trinidad stated, "Bajo de Masinloc remains ours. It is within our exclusive economic zone, and it has a territorial sea of its own." Also known as Scarborough Shoal or Panatag Shoal, Bajo de Masinloc is located approximately 124 nautical miles off the coast of Masinloc, Zambales. Under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, it falls within the Philippines' 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone, granting the country exclusive rights to exploit and manage resources in the area.
Continued Patrols Amid Challenges
Despite rising operational costs due to escalating oil prices linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Trinidad assured the public that Philippine naval patrols in the West Philippine Sea will persist. He underscored the unwavering commitment to safeguarding national sovereignty, stating that there is no "price for sovereignty." This declaration highlights the Navy's resolve to maintain a vigilant presence in the region, countering any attempts to undermine Philippine territorial integrity.
The denial comes in response to earlier claims that Chinese naval vessels and military aircraft had conducted drills in the vital waterway to assert dominance. By refuting these reports, the Philippine Navy aims to counteract misinformation and reinforce its stance on the lawful and rightful ownership of Bajo de Masinloc within the framework of international law.
