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The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), utilizing its vessel, BRP Datu Sanday, conducts a resupply mission to Filipino fishermen in the area of the Iroqouis (Rozul) Reef in the West Philippine Sea on February 2024, in these handout photos released February 9, 2024. Handout/DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), utilizing its vessel, BRP Datu Sanday, conducts a resupply mission to Filipino fishermen in the area of the Iroqouis (Rozul) Reef in the West Philippine Sea on February 2024, in these handout photos released February 9, 2024. The BFAR team delivered food, fuel and other provisions to 16 Filipino fishing boats moored around the reef. No Chinese vessels were observed around the said area during the mission. Courtesy: DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

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WPS-FISHERMEN

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<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/171068852502320240209-wps-resupply-mission-HO-5.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), utilizing its vessel, BRP Datu Sanday, conducts a resupply mission to Filipino fishermen in the area of the Iroqouis (Rozul) Reef in the West Philippine Sea on February 2024, in these handout photos released February 9, 2024. Handout/DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), utilizing its vessel, BRP Datu Sanday, conducts a resupply mission to Filipino fishermen in the area of the Iroqouis (Rozul) Reef in the West Philippine Sea on February 2024, in these handout photos released February 9, 2024. <em>Handout/DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- The Department of Foreign Affairs on Sunday asserted the Philippines has administrative control over Bajo de Masinloc and various areas west of Palawan that make up the Kalayaan group of islands.</p><p>The DFA reacted to the <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8SU95zax7U">statement</a> of China&#x27;s <span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin </span>on their &quot;supposed historic rights and sweeping claims of China on the South China Sea.&quot;</p><p>&quot;The 14 March 2024 statement of the spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry of China on the supposed historic rights and sweeping claims of China on the South China Sea is baseless and misleading,&quot; said the DFA in a statement. </p><p>Wang claimed that as early as 1948, Beijing had released the dotted-line concept, which has been upheld by successive Chinese governments.</p><p>But the DFA refuted Wang&#x27;s statement, citing the <span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">1734 Murillo Velarde Map.</span> </p><p>&quot;The Philippines has long had sovereignty and exercised administrative control over Bajo de Masinloc, as well as various features west of Palawan which now form the Kalayaan Island Group. These features appeared and were clearly identified in the administrative maps of the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period, including the 1734 Murillo Velarde Map of the Philippines,&quot; said the Foreign Affairs.</p><p>The DFA also stressed that the issue has already been settled through the <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/multimedia/photo/07/12/23/groups-celebrate-west-philippine-sea-day">2016 Arbitral Award</a>.</p><p>&quot;China’s claims to historic rights, or other sovereign rights or jurisdiction beyond the limits of the maritime entitlements provided by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), are without legal effect,&quot; the government agency said.</p><p> &quot;The Philippines maintains a firm stand against misguided claims and irresponsible actions that violate Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in its own maritime domain. The Philippines has never used the South China Sea issue to heighten tensions, mislead the international community, or undermine peace and stability in the region.&quot;</p><p>&quot;The Philippines urges China to reconsider its unfounded positions and claims.” </p><p>On Friday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. denied that the Philippines has made actions to provoke disputes in the South China Sea, in response to statements made by Wang.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/3/15/marcos-jr-ph-not-instigating-disputes-in-the-south-china-sea-2103">READ: PH not instigating disputes in South China Sea -- Marcos Jr.</a></div><p>Marcos also stressed that the country’s sovereignty and sovereign rights will remain as the country&#x27;s priorities when it considers any possible exploration in the West Philippine Sea.</p><p>Marcos is expected to discuss issues regarding the South China Sea when he meets with United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken this week.</p><p>China claims almost the entire South China Sea and has sought to assert sovereignty there despite competing claims from Southeast Asian nations and an international arbitration ruling that its stance has no legal basis.</p><p>Tensions between Beijing and the Philippines have flared in recent months as ships from both countries have clashed near contested reefs. -- <strong>With Agence France-Presse</strong></p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/3/14/marcos-to-discuss-south-china-sea-issue-with-us-secretary-of-state-anthony-blinken-600">READ: Marcos Jr, Blinken to discuss South China Sea issue</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/n8SU95zax7U?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div><div><br/></div>

<p>The Department of Foreign Affairs asserted that the Philippines has administrative control over Bajo de Masinloc and various areas west of Palawan that make up the Kalayaan group of islands.</p>

The Department of Foreign Affairs asserted that the Philippines has administrative control over Bajo de Masinloc and various areas west of Palawan that make up the Kalayaan group of islands.

DFA asserts China's territorial premise over WPS 'misguided'

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DFA asserts China's territorial premise over WPS 'misguided'

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Published Mar 17, 2024 11:33 PM PHT

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West Philippine Sea

Palawan

Kalayaan Group of Islands

China

Arbitral ruling

DFA

China Foreign Ministry

South China Sea

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