CHINA'S reported mass harvesting of giant clams in Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal in the disputed South China Sea was an affront to the Philippines' territorial integrity and sovereignty, Malacañang said Tuesday, April 16.
In a press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the Philippine government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), would take legal action by sending a note verbale or a diplomatic protest to China, questioning its latest activity in the disputed sea.
"China, as far it is concerned, it owns the vast South China Sea. Hence, logically, it will be performing acts of ownership or sovereignty over those areas. In other words, they are just being consistent with themselves. We also have to be consistent with ours. As far as we’re concerned, that is ours, we will be objecting to any intrusion to our own territory," he said.
"If it’s our territory, therefore, it is an affront to our territory and to our sovereignty," he added.
Chinese nationals are reportedly extracting giant clams in Scarborough Shoal, a traditional fishing ground located 124 nautical miles from Zambales, according to an exclusive report by news site ABS-CBN.
The report revealed that Filipino fishermen have been watching Chinese vessels harvesting giants clams in Scarborough Shoal for years now.
Panelo said President Rodrigo Duterte's administration would await China's response to the note verbale or diplomatic protest lodged against the extraction of giant clams.
"We will wait for their official response, and then act on it. One way or the other," he said.
"We’re still waiting, I’m sure they will respond in time," Panelo added.
Quizzed if the Philippines has plan of tapping the United States (US) to address China's continued presence in the Scarborough Shoal, Panelo said: "We’ll wait for the President’s decision on that, these are very serious matters and requires serious study."
The Philippines and the US conducted joint military exercises on April 1 to 12.
As part of the joint military drill by Manila and the Washington, a US Navy warship has been training with Philippine Navy ships in Subic Bay and in international waters off the South China Sea. (SunStar Philippines)