Protest over Chinese planes on reef mulled

MANILA - The Philippine government is considering a diplomatic protest against China over the reported presence of two Chinese military planes on Panganiban Reef, Malacañang said Thursday, April 19.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said China's alleged actions may constitute a "breach of an international obligation," if it will be proven that the two Chinese planes indeed landed on a reef in the disputed South China Sea.

"We are preparing and exploring the possibility of a diplomatic protest (through the Department of Foreign Affairs). We’ll leave it at that," Roque said.

"Obviously, if we consider a diplomatic protest, then (we) consider the other state to be in breach of an international obligation somehow," he added.

Satellite photos taken on January 6 showed two Xian Y-7 military transport planes on Panganiban Reef, which is located within the Philippines' 370-kilometer exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, according to a newspaper report.

In July 2016, the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration awarded the Philippines sovereign rights over Panganiban Reef. The arbitral court also ruled that China has no basis

to have extensive claims to the busy waterway of the South China Sea.

China, however, had rejected the ruling, insisting that Beijing's territorial sovereignty and marine rights in the contested seas would not be affected by the decision.

Despite the ruling, the Philippines refused to invoke its territorial rights to the South China Sea and instead sought to mend ties with China.

Apart from the Philippines and China, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam also lay claim to the vast waters of South China Sea.