Pinalagan ng gobyerno ng Pilipinas ang pahayag ng Foreign Ministry of China na ang buong South China Sea, kabilang ang Bajo de Masinloc na pasok sa 200-mile exclusive economic zone (EEC) ng Pilipinas, ay sakop ng People’s Republic of China (PROC) at ito ay nakaguhit sa kanilang kasaysayan.
“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,” ayon sa kalatas ng Department of Foreign Affairs.
Sa isang official statement sinabi ng Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) na noong pang 2016 Arbitral Award nang mapawalang bisa ang sinasabing historic rights ng China dahil malinaw na nakasaad sa United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) ang 200-mile ECC ng mga bansang nakapaligid sa South China Sea.
Bukod dito, malinaw na tinukoy din sa administrative maps Pilipinas noong panahon ng pananakop ng Espana ang territorial boundaries ng Pilipinas, kabilang ang 1734 Murillo Velarde Map of the Philippines.
“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.
The Philippines urges China to reconsider its unfounded positions and claims,” giit ng DFA.