DFA to China: Move out, stop island-building in West Philippine Sea

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) called on China yesterday to stop its occupation and island-building activities in Panganiban (Mischief) and Zamora (Subi) Reefs in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Asserting Philippine sovereign rights over the low-tide elevations, the DFA said both features fall within the Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and the country's continental shelf in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and as upheld by the 2016 Arbitral Award.

"We call on China to cease its illegal occupation and activities in Panganiban Reef and Zamora Reef immediately, and to abide by the final and binding 2016 Arbitral Award," the DFA said.

The DFA noted that with low-tide elevations, "the Philippines exercises sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the features, and these can neither be the subject of a sovereignty claim nor capable of appropriation under international law."