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DFA slams China for accusing PH of 'intruding' near Scarborough Shoal

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<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, is located 124 nautical miles west of Zambales and is within the country" s="" mile="" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/life/11/02/scarborough-shoal.jpg"/><figcaption>Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, is located 124 nautical miles west of Zambales and is within the country&#x27;s 200-nautical mile EEZ.</figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday criticized China for accusing the Philippines of intruding near Scarborough Shoal, saying the Asian power was stoking tensions in the West Philippine Sea. </p><p>The Chinese People&#x27;s Liberation Army - Southern Theater Command alleged that Philippine Navy ship BRP Conrado Yap encroached waters nearby Scarborough (Bajo de Masinloc) on Oct. 30, 2023.</p><p>This claim &quot;has no legal basis,&quot; said the DFA. Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, is located 124 nautical miles west of Zambales and is within the country&#x27;s 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).</p><p>Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar, meanwhile, said BRP Conrado Yap was doing its usual sovereignty patrol in the waters. </p><p>A Chinese vessel tailed the Philippine vessel during this time but no untoward incident happened.</p><p>&quot;The closest point na nagkaroon sila is about 2.7 nautical miles, so walang restriction at walang ginawa ang barko ng Tsina sa ating barko,&quot; Aguilar said in a public briefing. </p><p>&quot;Siguro ang dapat na itigil ay ang kanilang iligal na ginagawa sa loob ng ating maritime zone. Hindi sila dapat nandiyan at hindi sila dapat nangha-harass ng ating mga mangingisda,&quot; he added.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/26/23/china-says-barriers-placed-to-stop-ph-intrusion-in-scarborough">China says barriers placed to stop PH intrusion in Scarborough</a></li></ul><p>The DFA described Scarborough Shoal as an &quot;integral part&quot; of the country and said the Philippines has every right to conduct maritime patrols in the areas nearby it as part of its administrative responsibility. </p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=2861777" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div><p>&quot;There is no obligation for the Philippines as the sovereign state to seek the approval of another when navigating its own territorial sea,&quot; DFA said. </p><p>&quot;Beyond the territorial sea of Bajo de Masinloc is the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf generated from the main Philippine archipelago, over which the Philippines exercises sovereign rights and jurisdiction,&quot; the statement added. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/25/23/pcg-removes-floating-barriers-in-bajo-de-masinloc">PH Coast Guard removes floating barriers in Bajo de Masinloc</a></li></ul><p>Aguilar said the Philippines would continue doing its maritime patrols. </p><p>&quot;Tuloy-tuloy din ang rotation and resupply mission natin sa Ayungin Shoal. Lahat ito ay gagawin natin para maprotektahan natin ang ating mga kababayan, lalo na yung mga umaasa sa pangingisda sa West Philippine Sea,&quot; he said. </p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=2861830" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div><div style="text-align:center"><em><strong>Video from PTV</strong></em></div><div><strong>JOINT RESUPPLY </strong></div><p>In the same public briefing, Aguilar said resupply missions for Filipino troops at the BRP Sierra Madre on Ayungin Shoal was &quot;our obligation.&quot;</p><p>When asked if the United States and other countries were needed for the resupply mission, Aguilar said, &quot;it is for our country to make sure that we fulfill our responsibility.&quot; </p><p>&quot;[We must] ensure that we are able to harvest or to benefit from the resources therein, we have to make sure that environmental protection programs are being implemented and at the same time, we also have to ensure the safety of those who navigate in the particular area,&quot; he said. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/25/23/afp-mulls-joint-resupply-missions-with-other-countries">Philippines mulls joint resupply missions with other countries</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/10/25/23/joint-resupply-mission-sa-brp-sierra-madre-pinag-iisipan-ng-afp">&#x27;News Patrol&#x27;: Joint resupply mission sa BRP Sierra Madre pinag-iisipan ng AFP</a></li></ul><p> An official last week said the military was exploring possible joint resupply missions with other countries in the West Philippine Sea following a diplomatic row with China over two collisions in the area. </p><p>Late last month, Chinese ships allegedly tried to block Philippine resupply vessels on their way to Ayungin Shoal, leading to collisions that damaged BRP Cabra and civilian ship Unaizah May 2.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/23/23/joint-west-philippine-sea-patrols-urged-after-chinas-coercive-actions">Joint West Philippine Sea patrols urged after China&#x27;s &#x27;coercive&#x27; actions</a></li></ul>