The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has protested China’s fishing ban that covers parts of the West Philippine Sea over which the “Philippines exercises sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction.” In a statement, the DFA said it does not recognize China’s unilateral imposition of a fishing moratorium in the “north of 12 degrees north latitude in the South China Sea” from May 1 to August 16, 2021. “China’s annual fishing moratorium extends far beyond China’s legitimate maritime entitlements under Unclos and is without basis under international law. China cannot legally impose nor legally enforce such a moratorium in the West Philippine Sea,” it said.

DFA protests China's fishing ban, says it's a violation. (2021, May 20). SunStar Cebu, p. 14.