Walang illegal at hindi nanghimasok sa Chinese sovereignty ang Pilipinas nang magsagawa ng routine patrol operations ang PS39 sa Bajo de Masinloc.
Tugon ito ng Pilipinas sa akusasyon ng China na nanghimasok na ang bansa sa kanilang soberenya.
Ayon kay National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, may karapatan ang Pilipinas na magpatrolya sa West Philippine Sea dahil sakop ito ng Pilipinas.
“Under international law, the Philippines has every right to patrol the length and breadth of the West Philippine Sea which necessarily includes Bajo de Masinloc which is well within the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ),” pahayag ni Año.
Bagamat walang untoward incident, nagsagawa naman ng shadowing ang China sa PS39.
“China is again over hyping this incident and creating unnecessary tensions between our two nations. Nonetheless, the AFP and PCG will not be deterred by the aggressive and illegal activities of PLAN Navy/China Coast Guard/Militia in the West Philippine Sea,” pahayag ni Año.
Apela ni Año sa China, maging responsible sa mga aksyon nito.
“We urge China to act responsibly, respect UNCLOS, adhere to the 2016 Arbitral Ruling, promote the rules-based international order, and stop its aggressive and illegal actions in PH waters. Following the strong guidance of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., we will protect our territory and sovereign rights at all cost,” pahayag ni Año.