The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) urged China to cease the “illegal occupation” and activities in Panganiban Reef (Mischief Reef) and Zamora Reef (Subi Reef), stating it would abide by the final and binding 2016 Arbitral Award.

In a statement released Friday, September 11, the DFA reaffirmed the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the two reefs, including the low-tide elevations within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and as upheld by the 2016 Arbitral Award.

Moreover, the agency emphasized that the country’s sovereign rights and jurisdiction, adding that its sovereign rights and jurisdiction can neither be the subject of a sovereignty claim nor capable of appropriation under international law.

“China’s island-building on both features violates the Philippine Maritime Zones Act (Republic Act 12064) and UNCLOS, as confirmed by the Award, and does not change the features’ legal status as a low-tide elevation,” the DFA said.

“The Department will continue to assert the Philippines’ sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea, and champion the Philippines’ legitimate rights and interests in the maritime domain,” it added.

The DFA’s statement follows the heightened tensions between Manila and Beijing concerning activities in the West Philippine Sea. On Thursday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) fired multiple flares against an unarmed PCG aircraft conducting legitimate maritime domain awareness (MDA) flight over the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) on September 7.