MANILA, Philippines — Manila’s top diplomat on Thursday asserted the Philippines’ ownership of maritime features in the West Philippine Sea despite China’s massive construction in the area.
“Within our EEZ (exclusive economic zone) so it’s ours. The durability and vintage of the structures don’t matter. Ours,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said on Twitter.
He was responding to a query regarding structures that are being built and already established in the West Philippine Sea, which were seen during a routine patrol of the area by the Philippine military on Wednesday.
Within our EEZ so it’s ours. The durability and vintage of the structures don’t matter. Ours. https://t.co/FO5P0o0PMv
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) March 31, 2021
During that patrol, the Philip…
Keep on reading: West Philippine Sea ‘ours’ despite China-built structures, says DFA chief