Filipinos are free to fish in Ayungin Shoal and "take whatever they are due" under Philippine and international law, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) told China on Tuesday.
This comes after the Chinese Coast Guard reportedly drove off Filipino fishermen in the area, which is part of the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), weeks after President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. reached an agreement with China.
On Facebook, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) shared a video of the maritime incident, which took place last January 9.
The video shows a CCG vessel 5204 and a speed boat allegedly driving the fishermen away.
"Ayungin Shoal is part of the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf of the Philippines. The Philippines is entitled to exercise sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the area, without any intervention from another country," DFA spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said in a statement.
"Filipino fishermen are free to exercise their rights and take whatever they are due under Philippine and international law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS and the final and binding 2016 Arbitral Award," she added.
Daza said the country has established a permanent presence in Ayungin Shoal in 1995 with the actively commissioned Philippine naval vessel, the BRP Sierra Madre.
The DFA is currently waiting for official reports from relevant government agencies, which will be the basis for its diplomatic action on the incident.
During his state visit in Beijing, Marcos said the joint agreement between the Philippines and China in elevating the "direct communication line" is geared at avoiding incidents in the West Philippine Sea.
On Monday, the President said the Philippine side had used the communication mechanism following the Ayungin incident.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila has yet to comment on the matter.
