DFA: Scarborough Shoal part of PH territory

The Department of Foreign Affairs on Monday firmly asserted that Scarborough Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc and Panatag Shoal, is part of the Philippines' territory, in response to a recent claim by China. 

In an exclusive interview with GMA News Online, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro reacted to the Chinese Embassy in Manila's publishing what it claimed was a letter from a Filipino diplomat in the 1990s allegedly stating that Scarborough Shoal was not covered by Philippine sovereignty rights.

"I would totally reject that," Lazaro said. "Sino naman yung diplomat na 'yan to say that? Issues such as this, umaakyat hanggang sa Pangulo 'yan. So a diplomat cannot just make a statement like that."

(Who is the diplomat who would say something like that? Issues such as this go up tp the President.)

When asked to clarify whether Scarborough Shoal is part of Philippine territory, Lazaro replied, “Yes, yes, it’s part of our territory. Exactly. And we have our sovereign rights over there. Yun naman nailagay na yan sa arbitral [award], nasabi na yan sa arbitral award of 2016. At paulit-ulit naman nating sinasabi ang mga issues ninyo diyan.”

(That is what it says in the arbitral award of 2016. And we have repeatedly said it.)

The 2016 arbitral ruling did not decide questions of territorial sovereignty, but it did invalidate key parts of China’s expansive South China Sea claims and affirmed maritime entitlements under international law. The Philippine government has continued to cite the award in rejecting Beijing’s claims, while Manila has also recently reaffirmed its position on Scarborough Shoal.

Bilateral mechanism

Despite the latest dispute, Lazaro said she remains hopeful that diplomatic mechanisms between Manila and Beijing will continue, including the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM), which is expected to be held in Beijing.

She also confirmed that a proposed roadmap put forward by the Chinese ambassador to the Philippines is still under discussion.

“Itong roadmap na ito ay pinropose ng Chinese ambassador; ito ay pinag-uusapan pa lang. So it’s in the process of discussion. At kung meron man talagang napag-usapan na pinal, of course, this is subject to certain diplomatic nuances. Pero as of now, hindi ko masasabi ko na hindi pa ito. Hindi pa ito continuous; patuloy pa rin ang pag-uusap tungkol dito sa roadmap na ito.”

(This roadmap that was proposed by the Chinese ambassador is still being discussed. And if there is any final discussion, of course, it will be subject to certain diplomatic nuances. But as of now, I cannot say that this is it. The discussions about the roadmap continue.)

Separate from the BCM, Manila and Beijing are also discussing a proposed coast guard-to-coast guard cooperation agreement, which Philippine officials have described as a parallel effort distinct from the South China Sea consultation mechanism.

Asked whether the BCM could realistically help lower tensions in the South China Sea, Lazaro said:

“It could be. Kung wala naman yan, mabuti na lang yung meron, at least meron silang some subject of discussion. Kung hindi naman yun, they will not agree on anything kung walang nakalagay doon.”

The full interview will be shown on GMA Integrated News’ official social media platforms soon. — BM, GMA Integrated News