Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Filipino youth activists brave the waves as they hoist a Philippine flag on the shores of Zambales on Monday facing the West Philippine Sea as a symbol of the country’s claim of the disputed territory. The group embarked on the flag-raising in time with the celebration of Philippine Independence. Jun Dumaguing, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Ched Rick Gatchalian

ABS-CBN News

<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/175773182864820170612-independecne-flag-zambales-jd.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Filipino youth activists brave the waves as they hoist a Philippine flag on the shores of Zambales on Monday facing the West Philippine Sea as a symbol of the country’s claim of the disputed territory. The group embarked on the flag-raising in time with the celebration of Philippine Independence. Jun Dumaguing, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The United States said it stands with the Philippines in rejecting China&#x27;s plan to establish a nature reserve at Scarborough Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc, calling Beijing&#x27;s move as &quot;destabilizing.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/11/ph-rejects-china-plan-to-establish-nature-reserve-at-scarborough-1201">Philippines protests China nature reserve plan for Scarborough Shoal</a></div><p>In a release, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said China&#x27;s plan threatens regional stability.</p><p>&quot;Beijing claiming Scarborough Reef as a nature preserve is yet another coercive attempt to advance sweeping territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea at the expense of its neighbors, including by preventing Filipino fishermen from accessing these traditional fishing grounds,&quot; he stressed.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/9/10/china-to-establish-nature-reserve-at-scarborough-shoal-2148">China to establish nature reserve at Scarborough Shoal</a></div><p>Earlier this week, China&#x27;s State Council announced plans to establish the reserve at Scarborough Shoal, saying it is &quot;an important measure for maintaining the diversity, stability, and sustainability of the natural ecosystem of Huangyan Island.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/12/12/china-carrying-out-maritime-occupation-in-west-philippine-sea-analyst-1326">China carrying out &#x27;maritime occupation&#x27; in West Philippine Sea: analyst</a></div><p>It also urged &quot;intensifying supervision and law enforcement of all illegal and irregular activities involving the nature reserve.&quot;</p><p>Manila&#x27;s Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) meanwhile protested what it called &quot;an illegitimate and unlawful action by China.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/11/philippine-fisherfolk-decry-china-s-plan-for-nature-reserve-in-scarborough-shoal-2317">Philippine fisherfolk decry China&#x27;s plan for nature reserve in Scarborough Shoal</a></div><p>In the same statement, the Philippines called on China to respect its sovereignty and jurisdiction over Bajo de Masinloc.</p><p>US is also urging China &quot;to abide by the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal’s unanimous decision&quot; which ruled in favor of the Philippines.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><br/></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/hY2DcdsHvsA?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></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/L7XaDyPkLDI?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The United States said it stands with the Philippines in rejecting China's plan to establish a nature reserve at Scarborough Shoal or also known as Bajo de Masinloc, calling Beijing's move as "destabilizing".</p>

The United States said it stands with the Philippines in rejecting China's plan to establish a nature reserve at Scarborough Shoal or also known as Bajo de Masinloc, calling Beijing's move as "destabilizing".

US stands with PH vs China nature reserve plan at Scarborough Shoal

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US stands with PH vs China nature reserve plan at Scarborough Shoal

Ched Rick Gatchalian,

ABS-CBN News

Published September 13, 2025 10:57 AM PHT

|

Updated September 13, 2025 11:04 AM PHT

Read More:

United States

Philippines

Bajo de Masinloc

Scarborough Shoal

China

National reserve

West Philippines Sea

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