National Security Adviser Eduardo Año has emphasized that China’s persistent claims over the waters of Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) have “no legal basis.” “China’s repeated claims of sovereignty over Bajo de Masinloc have no basis in international law or in fact. International law is clear. China cannot, therefore, lawfully exercise sovereignty over it,” Año said in a statement on Wednesday. Citing international law and the arbitration ruling of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Año said the Philippines has sovereign rights and jurisdiction over Bajo de Masinloc as well as the waters and continental shelf surrounding it.

Kabagani, L. J. (2024, February 1). China’s claim over Bajo has no basis — Año. Daily Tribune, p. A6.