‘DON’T WORRY’

China’s WPS incursions won’t invalidate Philippines’ legal claims, says Roque

China's unabated reclamation activities and deployment of military vessels within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea will never invalidate the Philippines' legal claims, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Thursday.

Roque made the assertion a day after the National Task Force on West Philippine Sea reported that 287 Chinese militia vessels were seen scattered over various features of Kalayaan municipality in Palawan based on results of a May 9 maritime patrol.

"Maski anong gawin nila riyan [no matter what they do], might is not always right. Territories acquired through conquest will never ripen to title," Roque said.

"Huwag po kayo mag-alala," he added.

[You do not have to worry.]

Roque then said that the Duterte administration's policy on the West Philippine Sea, including dealing with China's incursions, is working even if the Foreign Affairs department has always been protesting China's incursions in the area.

"When I say it is working, I am not saying it is perfect," Roque said.

"If we feel that our claims are being violated, we file a protest. That is a working policy. It is not perfect because it is not a perfect world. What is important is we continue to protect our interest," he added.

The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration already rejected China's claim of sovereignty in the entire South China Sea and outlawed China's aggression against Filipino fisherfolk in Scarborough shoal in a July 2016 decision.

The same Hague court decision—which stemmed from a case filed by the Philippines against China—also ruled that the Spratly Islands, Panganiban (Mischief) Reef, Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal and Recto (Reed) Bank are within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. — BM, GMA News