MANILA, Philippines - A book about the disputed Bajo de Masinloc
or Scarborough Shoal, which strengthens the Philippines' long-standing claim
over the area, was launched on Wednesday.
A collaboration between the University of the Philippines
Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea (UP IMLOS) and the National
Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), the book "Bajo de
Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal): Maps and Documents" is a compilation of
documents that prove the Shoal has always been a part of the Philippine
national territory.
"It's very timely because we're trying to convince the world
especially the people in China that Bajo de Masinloc has been historically part
of the Philippines since 1636 and there is not a single official map, ancient
documents or ancient artficact showing China has ever set foot on Bajo de
Masinloc," Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said during the book launch.
China claims that the Scarborough Shoal is a part of its territory
based on the nine-dash lines in the South China Sea. The Shoal is located 124
nautical miles west of Zambales and is within the 200 nautical-mile Exclusive
Economic Zone of the Philippines, according to the Department of Foreign
Affairs.
Carpio earlier noted that China's argument in its territorial
claim over the West Philippines Sea has no legal basis under international law.
UP IMLOS director Jay Batongbacal said that the United States
recognizes that the Scarborough Shoal is part of the territory of the
Philippines, as signed by the US and Spain in the Treaty of Washington.
The treaty read, "Spain relinquishes to the United States all
title and claim of title, which she may have had at the time of the conclusion
of the Treaty of Peace of Paris, to any and all islands belonging to the
Philippine Archipelago."
Batongbacal added that the maps included in the book dates back to
the 1660s which support the country's territorial claims.
"If our books were rockets launched at China, China would
have been conquered," UP College of Law Dean Danilo Concepcion said.
The book is not just for lawyers and policy makers, but for the
general public as well to show the documentary evidences of the country's
exercise of jurisdiction and sovereignty over the Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de
Masinloc.
"Bajo de Masinloc has always been a part of Philippine
territory and subject to exclusive jurisdiction," the UP Law Dean
concluded.
(philstar.com)
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