KINASTIGO ng Department of Foreign Affairs ang China dahil sa pangha-harass umano nito sa Philippine Coast Guard sa Bajo de Masinloc noong nakaraang buwan.
Sa kalatas, sinabi ng DFA na na kabilang sa naranasang harassment ng PCG ang “shadowing, blocking, dangerous maneuver and radio challenges.”
Giit ng DFA, may karapatan na magsagawa ng maritime patrols at training exercises sa Kalayaan Island Group at Bajo de Masinloc dahil parte ang mga ito ng Pilipinas.
“The Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc are integral parts of the Philippines over which it has sovereignty and jurisdiction. The Philippines’ conduct of maritime patrols and training exercises in these areas is a legitimate and routine act of a sovereign country in its territory and territorial waters and is part of the Philippines’ administrative responsibility,” pahayag ng kagawaran.
“China has no law enforcement rights in these areas,” dagdag ng DFA.
Pinalagan din ng kagawaran ang ilegal na presensiya ng daan-daang Chinese fishing vessels at maritime militia vessels sa paligid ng Pag-asa Islands, Zamora Reef, Panata and Kota Islands, Ayungin Shoal, Quirino Atoll, at Bajo de Masinloc.
Giit ng DFA, walang karapatan ang mga Tsino sa mga nabanggit na bahagi ng West Phillipine Sea.
