Sa inilabas na pahayag, ipinahihinto rin ng Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) ang umano’y environmentally destructive activities ng Chinese fishing vessels.
“The Philippines has been assiduously protesting the illegal and lingering (swarming) presence of Chinese fishing vessels and maritime assets in the said areas,” ayon sa kagawaran.
Iginiit din ng Pilipinas na sakop ng Exclusive Economic Zone ng bansa ang Julian Felipe Reef sa Kalayaan Island Group.
“We reiterate that the continued deployment, lingreing presence and activities of Chinese vessels in Philippine maritime zones blatantly infringe upon Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction,” dagdag nito.
Sinabi pa ng DFA na ang patuloy na panghihimasok ng China ay taliwas sa commitment ng China sa ilalim ng international law at sa ASEAN-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.