BINATIKOS ng National Maritime Council (NMC) ang ‘disinformation activities’ ng Tsina sa pag-anunsyo na kinuha nito ang kontrol ng Sandy Cay (Pag-asa Cay 2), isang sandbar malapit sa Pag-asa Island at sa loob ng exclusive economic zone (EEZ) ng Pilipinas.

Sa isang kalatas, labis na ikinalungkot ng NMC na ginagamit ng Chinese government ang state-controlled media nito para maghasik ng disinformation “to mislead its own people and the international community about the continuing illegality of its activities in the West Philippine Sea.”

“The alleged seizure of Pag-asa Cay 2 (Sandy Cay), an integral part of the Philippine national territory in the West Philippine Sea, was a clear example of the disinformation activities of the Chinese government, where it made it appear that China has effective control of the cay by displaying its flag and conducting waste collection,” ang sinabi ng NMC.

“The Philippines is firm in protecting its vast maritime domain, and is unwavering in fighting false allegations that detract from the country’s lawful exercise of its sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction,” dagdag na pahayag ng NMC.

Sinabi pa rin ng NMC na ang pagkasira ng kapaligiran sa palibot ng Pag-asa Island at cays ay sanhi ng paulit-ulit na ‘illegal swarming’ ng Chinese vessels sa lugar at nakapipinsalang epekto ng ‘massive artificial island-building’ sa Zamora Reef (Subi Reef), isang low-tide elevation na bumubuo ng bahagi territorial sea ng Pag-asa Island at cays nito.

Hinikayat naman ng NMC ang Tsina na sumunod sa obligasyon nito sa ilalim ng international law, partikular na sa United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea at sa 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award.

Nanawagan din ito para sa tamang implementasyon ng 2002 Declaration of the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.

(CHRISTIAN DALE)