Marcos hits China’s ‘nature reserve’ declaration

KUALA LUMPUR – President Marcos has slammed the “attempt of some actors” to establish a “nature reserve” in Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, which is an integral part of the Philippines.

Marcos made the remarks at the 13th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-US Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center here Sunday afternoon. The meeting was attended by US President Donald Trump.

A copy of Marcos’ intervention was released by the Presidential Communications Office yesterday.

“The attempt of some actors to establish the so-called ‘nature reserve’ status over Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal, which is a longstanding and integral part of the Philippines over which it has sovereignty and jurisdiction, clearly violates not only Philippine sovereignty, but also the traditional fishing rights of our people guaranteed by international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS and affirmed by the final and binding 2016 Award on the South China Sea Arbitration and relevant domestic laws,” Marcos said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) last month strongly protested the approval by the State Council of China of the establishment of the so-called Huangyan Island National Nature Reserve in Bajo de Masinloc.

In a statement on Sept. 11, the DFA said “the Philippines likewise has the exclusive authority to establish environmental protection areas over its territory and relevant maritime zones.”

The DFA had urged China to respect the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the Philippines over Bajo de Masinloc.

Bajo de Masinloc is located 124 nautical miles off Masinloc, Zambales and is within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone.

Yesterday at the 20th East Asia Summit, Marcos aired his protest over China’s placing Bajo de Masinloc under a “national nature reserve” status.

“Just recently, our northern neighbor has declared a so-called ‘National Nature Reserve’ in Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal,” Marcos said. “We strongly protested such a declaration.”

Aside from ASEAN member-states, other EAS members are Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and the US.

West Philippine Sea ‘incidents’ tackled

At the 28th ASEAN-Japan summit with Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae on Sunday, Marcos also brought up “incidents” that he said continue to occur in the West Philippine Sea that “have put the lives of Philippine personnel and the safety of our vessels and aircraft at risk.”

Meanwhile, Marcos acknowledged the support of South Korea and India for rules-based international order and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

At the 26th ASEAN-South Korea Summit yesterday attended by President Lee Jae Myung, Marcos said: “On maritime cooperation, we acknowledge that it is essential to regional peace and stability, sustainable development and shared prosperity.”

“In this regard, we recognize the ROK (Republic of Korea) as a valued partner in advancing ASEAN’s maritime priorities, anchored on a rules-based international order and UNCLOS,” he said.

Marcos said he is looking forward to co-chairing with South Korea and the US the ASEAN Regional Forum Workshop on Best Practices for Port State Measures to Combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing.

“I also value the experience and support of India for the peaceful settlement of disputes and adherence to international law, particularly UNCLOS, which upholds our common interest as a community of nations to promote the peaceful uses of our seas and oceans, whether in the Bay of Bengal or the South China Sea,” Marcos said at the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit on Sunday.

Prime Minister Narenda Modi attended the meeting virtually.

In an interview with foreign media yesterday, Marcos said the South China Sea issue was not tackled during the 28th ASEAN Plus Three Summit, which was attended by Chinese Premiere Li Qiang.

Code of Conduct

Meanwhile, in his intervention also at the ASEAN-US Summit, Marcos continued to press for the conclusion of an “effective” and “substantive” Code of Conduct in the South China Sea as he expressed concern over “dangerous maneuvers and coercive actions that interfere with legitimate Philippine activities in the West Philippine Sea.”

“On the South China Sea, it is regrettable that incidents continue to occur in the West Philippine Sea that have put the lives of Philippine personnel and the safety of our vessels and aircraft at risk,” Marcos said.

The President said such actions “violate not only Philippine sovereignty but also the traditional fishing rights of Filipinos, as guaranteed by the 1982 UNCLOS, and the final and binding 2016 South China Sea Arbitration Award and domestic law.”

“These incidents notwithstanding, the Philippines will continue to remain firm, calm and resolute in its commitment to the full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and to achieving productive negotiations towards a Code of Conduct that is effective, substantive and consistent with international law, particularly UNCLOS,” the President stressed.

“This commitment is shared throughout all levels of the government, which desires to conclude an effective and substantive Code of Conduct that can effectively govern the behavior of parties at sea,” he said.

When asked during an interview yesterday with foreign media whether he would push for the COC during the country’s hosting of the ASEAN Summit next year, Marcos said: “We have been pushing for, we will continue to push for that.”

This year’s ASEAN chair, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, during his opening statement at the 20thEast Asia Summit yesterday, said, “As with the case of all issues, we want it (COC) resolved within ASEAN, ASEAN with our partners in the region. Because the moment it’s seen to be imposed and dictated by outside forces, things become more problematic and tense as far as we are concerned.”

Since 2002, ASEAN has been seeking China’s consent to a binding COC in the South China Sea.

The Philippines, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Timor-Leste make up the ASEAN.

The Philippines has been demanding that China adhere to international laws, including the 1982 UNCLOS and the 2016 arbitral ruling, which invalidated Beijing’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea.

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it has prevented Chinese fishing vessels from engaging in illegal fishing near Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.

“The AFP reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the marine environment in the WPS after forces of the Western Command prevented Chinese fishing boats engaged in illegal fishing activities on Oct. 24, 2025 near Ayungin Shoal,” the military said in a statement.

The AFP said its personnel promptly escorted the unauthorized fishing boats out of the area and confiscated bottles containing suspected cyanide chemicals reportedly used for destructive fishing.

“The swift and measured action prevented further harm to coral reefs and marine life, underscoring the AFP’s commitment to protecting the ecological integrity of the WPS for future generations,” it added. — Pia Lee-Brago