Binuweltahan ni National Security Adviser Eduardo Año ang China sa panibagong bintang nito na ang Pilipinas ang nanghihimasok sa kanilang teritoryo kaya lumalala ang tensiyon sa West Philippine Sea.
“China is again overhyping this incident and creating unnecessary tensions between our two nations. Nonetheless, the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and PCG (Philippine Coast Guard) will not be deterred by the aggressive and illegal activities of PLA Navy/China Coast Guard/Militia in the West Philippine Sea,” pahayag ni Año.
Sa isang kalatas, iginiit ni Año na Karapatan ang Pilipinas sa Bajo de Masinloc batay sa umiiral na 200-exclusive economic zone, taliwas sa inihayag ni Senior Col. Tian Junli ng Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command spokesman.
“PS39 (BRP Conrado Yap) conducted routine patrol operations in the general vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc without any untoward incident. It did not illegally enter any space under Chinese sovereignty because Bajo de Masinloc is part of the Philippine archipelago and EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone),” paliwanag ni Año.
Ang pahayag ni Año ay bilang reaksiyon sa panawagan ni Junil sa Pilipinas na tigilan na ang panghihimasok ng mga barko nito sa kanilang inaangking teritoryo sa West Philippine Sea.
“We urge the PH side to immediately stop its infringement and provocation to avoid further escalation,” sinabi ng Chinese military sa isang kalatas.