The Philippine Mission to the United Nations, led by Ambassador Antonio Manuel Lagdameo, reaffirmed the country’s sovereignty over Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) during a UN General Assembly debate on oceans and maritime law.
Lagdameo emphasized the Philippines’ commitment to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award, which support its territorial claims despite China’s counterclaims and actions.
“In line with UNCLOS, the Philippines this year enacted two historic laws: the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act. Through these, we strengthen the alignment of our national laws with UNCLOS, enhance our capacity for ocean governance, and improve our maritime policies for economic development and national security,” he stated at the United Nations.
Lagdameo criticized China’s baseline claims and maps as violations of UNCLOS, emphasizing the importance of a rules-based international order.
“The response of China, which announced baselines around Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal—located west of Luzon, Philippines—and submitted a map of territorial sea baselines, including straight baselines and outer limits of the territorial sea, along with a list of geographical coordinates of related points, constitutes a violation of UNCLOS and undermines the rules-based international system,” he said.
He reiterated the Philippines’ commitment to resolving disputes peacefully under the UN Charter and the Manila Declaration.
This statement was delivered during the General Assembly debate on ‘Oceans and the Law of the Sea,’ an annual plenary agenda item that discusses developments related to UNCLOS and issues concerning oceans and international maritime law.
