'EXCESSIVE ACTIVITY'

Chinese vessels off Julian Felipe Reef can be ground for complaint —expert

The presence of over 100 Chinese militia vessels off Julian Felipe Reef in the West Philippine Sea can be considered as an "excessive activity" and could be reason for the country to take an "international legal action," an international security expert said Wednesday.

"Ang nangyayari po ngayon sa Julian Felipe ay masasabi po nating nasa kategoryang excessive po yung activity, kahit na 50 lang po ay excessive na po iyan," Prof. Rommel Banlaoi told Super Radyo dzBB.

"So pinagbabawal ng international law yung tinatawag na unregulated, unreported and illegal fishing activity," he added.

(What's happening there in Julian Felipe Reef falls under the excessive activity category. International law prohibits unregulated, unreported and illegal fishing activity.)

Banlaoi said among the Philippines' legal option is to submit a case for an international legal action to hold those involved in the activity responsible. He said the complaints could range from poaching to intrusion.

From 220, around 183 Chinese militia vessels remain off Julian Felipe Reef, according to the Philippine military. They were initially spotted on March 7.

Banlaoi said the reef, located 174 nautical miles away from Palawan, is well within the Philippines' 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) based on international law.

"[Ibig sabihin] ang Pilipino lamang ang may exclusive rights na mag-conduct ng economic activities diyan," he said.

"So maliwanag sa international laws na naba-violate ang ating sovereign rights sa lugar na iyan," he added.

(This means only Filipinos have exclusive rights to conduct economic activities in that area, so it's clear under international laws that our sovereign rights are being violated.)

Banlaoi said the Philippine government made the right move when it filed a diplomatic protest against China and demanded the immediate withdrawal of the Chinese vessels from the area.

He urged the government to issue a timeline for the departure of the Chinese vessels, although he admitted that the issue is complicated as China considers the reef as part of its territory.

Banlaoi also said the Chinese government must issue a clarification regarding the presence of the vessels in the area.

"Kung pinayagan ng China yan eh ia-account natin yung China sa pagpapayag na ganyan, kung hindi man pinayagan ng China yan dapat i-account naman ng China yung kanilang nationals na nagsasagawa ng ganyang excessive activity sa area na iyan," he said.

(If the Chinese government allowed that excessive fishing activity then we can hold China accountable for it, but if they didn't then the Chinese government must hold those who did accountable.)

China has earlier said that the ships were just taking shelter in the area. —KBK, GMA News