NSC: China’s defiance of int’l laws ‘root of all tensions’ in SCS

The National Security Council on Tuesday said China's insistence on its vast claims in the entire South China Sea — overlapping the Philippines' exclusive economic zone — is the main reason there's a growing tension in the area.

NSC spokesperson Jonathan Malaya refuted China's allegations that the Philippines is provoking tensions in the SCS.

"China is the only country that believes in its own narrative and propaganda. Not a single nation has expressed support for its 10-dash line where it lays claim to practically the entire South China," Malaya said.

"The root of all these tensions is its non-adherence to international law, UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) and the 2016 Arbitral Award. As the world has seen, it is not the Philippines that has been engaged in provocations, bullying and aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea," he continued.

Malaya stressed that the Philippines has been "very restrained and responsible" in dealing with China's aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea.

"But the same cannot be said of China," he added.

Malay said the Philippine government welcomes China's offer to enter into "dialogue, negotiation and consultation" to address the conflict over their territorial waters in SCS.

"But for it to prosper, China must immediately stop its bullying, aggressive actions and illegal moves in the West Philippine Sea which seriously undermines regional peace and security," Malaya said.

The NSC official also stressed that China's illegal exercise of maritime law enforcement powers, interference with Philippine vessels, harassment and intimidation of Filipino fisherfolk and other activities that infringe upon the Philippines' sovereignty and jurisdiction in the WPS are "clear violations of international law."

Malaya said the dialogue can only succeed in an atmosphere of mutual respect and sincerity between two sovereign nations.

"The Philippines is ready to reciprocate provided the bullying, harassment and aggressive actions are ended immediately," he added.

Col. Medel Aguilar, Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson, also debunked China's allegation that the country is encroaching on Beijing's territory in the SCS.

"The Philippines is not provoking conflict. We follow international law and we are only implementing our domestic law, meaning the limits of our territorial waters and exclusive economic zone, where we have sovereign rights," Aguilar said in an interview over the Bagong Pilipinas public briefing aired in state-run PTV4 Channel.

Such remarks from the Philippine officials came after China's accusation that the Philippines is relying on the United State's support to repeatedly provoke China.