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Philippines Firmly Underscores Sovereignty Over Bajo de Masinloc, Rejects China's Claims
Philippines Reaffirms Sovereignty Over Bajo de Masinloc
In a press briefing on Monday, March 16, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) firmly underscored the Philippines' indivisible and incontrovertible sovereignty over Bajo de Masinloc and the Kalayaan Island Group. Deputy Assistant Secretary Rogelio Villanueva Jr., the DFA spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, stated that historical and legal foundations for Philippine sovereignty are unassailable, citing the 1734 Murillo Velarde Map and subsequent cartographic records. He further emphasized that the Philippines has exercised continuous and uninterrupted sovereignty and jurisdiction over Bajo de Masinloc for centuries, demonstrated through detailed hydrographic surveys, official government correspondences, and the demolition of illegal structures erected by foreign smugglers.
China's Claims Rejected, Dialogue Principles Highlighted
Villanueva Jr. explicitly rejected China's assertion of 'indisputable sovereignty' over the entire South China Sea, stating that this claim has no basis in fact, history, or international law. He highlighted that China's persistent evasion of proper international legal scrutiny speaks volumes about the baselessness of its positions. In contrast, the Philippines duly proved and established its maritime claims through the 2016 arbitral award, which has become an integral part of international law. While the DFA welcomes the resumption of dialogue mechanisms with China as critical platforms for effective diplomacy, it clarified that engagement is not a concession. The Philippines' pursuit of dialogue reflects a calibrated and principled commitment to peaceful dispute settlement, and its sovereignty is non-negotiable, with its resolve being absolute.
*Source: YouTube: Rappler (2026-03-16)*
