The Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines reported that two Chinese vessels and a People’s Liberation Army Navy ship were spotted near the vicinity of Escoda (Sabina) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on December 11 and 12 respectively.
The Escoda Shoal is located 123.6 nautical miles from Palawan . The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the Escoda Shoal is within Philippine sovereignty and maritime jurisdiction.
The DFA has conveyed to the Chinese Embassy’s Charge d’ affaires its serious concerns over recent actions of China
“These intrusions of the Chinese are clear violations of the 2002 ASEAN-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea as well as the provision of the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said in a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner.
The Spratly Islands , which is believed to be rich in minerals and oil, is also being claimed in part or whole by Brunei , Malaysia , Taiwan , and Vietnam Mindanao Examiner)
20