MANILA – Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada on Thursday urged the government to take stronger actions against China’s recent reinforcement of its claim over Bajo de Masinloc, including considering legal options, such as bringing the matter to an international body like the United Nations.
Estrada insisted that the government’s actions should extend beyond merely filing diplomatic protests and summoning Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian, saying these actions would not be sufficient to resolve matters concerning territorial jurisdiction and sovereign rights.
“Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc falls within our EEZ (exclusive economic zones), as defined by international law, specifically the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,” he said in a statement.
“May basehan ang pag-angkin natin sa Bajo de Masinloc kaya dapat lang na ipaglaban natin ito (Our claim to Bajo de Masinloc has a basis so we should just fight for it).”
In 2016, the arbitral tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippines invalidating China’s claims.
The Department of Foreign Affairs recently announced that it summoned Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian after China declared the baselines around Scarborough Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc, as part of its territory. (PNA)