Chinese structures and military equipment have been observed on Subi Reef, also known as Zamora Reef, a feature within the Philippines’ continental shelf in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) near Pag-asa Island in Palawan.
Observation Details:
- Source: The sighting was reported by a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) plane, which was monitoring Chinese activities in Sandy Cay.
- Infrastructure: The artificial island on Subi Reef, constructed by China in 2013, houses significant structures including a runway, radar domes, antennas, vehicles, and hangars.
- Port: A wide deepwater shelter port was noted, providing a haven for Chinese ships against rough seas.
- Vessel Presence: Chinese maritime militia vessels were also seen around the area.
Geopolitical Context:
In July, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) formally requested the United Nations to acknowledge the Philippines’ entitlement to an extended continental shelf (ECS) in the West Palawan Region, rejecting China’s extensive claims over the South China Sea.
UN Submission:
- Date: The submission was made on June 14 by the Philippine Mission to the UN in New York.
- Basis: According to Article 76 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Philippines is entitled to establish the outer limits of its continental shelf extending beyond 200 nautical miles (NM) but not exceeding 350 NM from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured.
- Body: The UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) oversees the implementation of UNCLOS on establishing the outer limits of the continental shelf.
Related Developments:
- Philippine Fishermen: Local fishermen remain fearful as Chinese vessels continue to guard the WPS.
- International Partnerships: President Marcos has emphasized partnerships with other nations to ensure stability in the South China Sea.
- Political Actions: Senator Francis Tolentino resigned from PDP-Laban due to differences regarding the party’s stance on the WPS issue.