Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. (PNA/File photo)
Senators gave the observation Wednesday, May 12, as Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. issued a “last warning” and maintained that his department has the “exclusive remit” on matters of the country’s international relations.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque claimed that Julian Felipe (Whitsun) Reef is not within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), even as the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) said otherwise.
Julian Felipe Reef is located 175 nautical miles west of Bataraza, Palawan.
“DFA Sec. Locsin is the voice I will listen to,” Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said in a text message.
Amid Roque statement, DFA says stand on Julian Felipe Reef unchanged By CONSUELO MARQUEZ, GMA News
Published May 11, 2021 6:52pm
Updated May 11, 2021 8:16pm The Department of Foreign Affairs said it was standing by its statements on the country s sovereign rights over the Julian Felipe Reef hours after presidential spokesman Secretary Harry Roque said the feature was beyond the Philippines exclusive economic zone. Roque said the reef, which was recently surrounded by Chinese militia vessels, was too far from the Philippines and was never in the country s possession. In a statement the DFA issued weeks before on the Julia Felipe Reef controversy, the department said the reef was part of the Kalayaan islands group and lies within the EEZ provided under the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea.
Julian Felipe Reef never under Philippine possession Palace By LLANESCA T. PANTI, GMA News
Published May 11, 2021 2:35pm
Updated May 11, 2021 10:23pm Malacañang on Tuesday said the Philippines was never in possession of Julian Felipe Reef, an area in the West Philippine Sea that hit the headlines due to the presence of hundreds of Chinese ships there. “Kasi alam mo hindi po yan kabahagi ng ating EEZ, yung Julian Felipe. Labas po yan, ganyan po kalayo yan,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said. In March, over 200 Chinese vessels swarmed Julian Felipe Reef prompting a series of diplomatic protests from the Philippine government. Reports have said that majority of the vessels have left the area, but several have remained.
BusinessWorld
May 11, 2021 | 7:51 pm
PHILIPPINE STAR/ JOVEN CAGANDE
THE PHILIPPINES did not lose new territories to China during the term of President Rodrigo R. Duterte, pursuant to an agreement between the two to keep the status quo, according to the presidential palace.
China did not reclaim islands, reefs and other sea features under Mr. Duterteâs leadership, his spokesperson Herminio L. Roque, Jr. told a televised news briefing on Tuesday.
The Philippines did lose Scarborough Shoal to China under his predecessor Benigno S.C. Aquino III, he added.
âWhatâs important is the deal between the President and President Xi for a status quo did not change,â Mr. Roque said in Filipino. âThere were no new reclamations and they did not get new territories and we didnât lose any.â
endIndex:
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 11) – Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Tuesday claimed Julian Felipe Reef, where around 200 Chinese ships were sighted in March, is not part of the Philippines exclusive economic zone, going against statements made by the Defense and Foreign Affairs departments. All we re saying is we were never in possession of that area.Ni hindi po yan kabahagi ng ating EEZ ha, yung Julian Felipe. Labas po yan, ganyan po kalayo yan [It s not even part of our EEZ. Julian Felipe reef is outside that zone, that s how far it is], Roque said in a Palace briefing.