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Philippines Highlights Strong Commitment to Protect Marine Environment, Rejects China's Unlawful "Nature Reserve" Claim Over Bajo De Masinloc at 13th Expanded Asean Maritime Forum

Republic of the Philippines - Department of Foreign Affairs

PORT DICKSON 19 September 2025 -- The Philippines reiterated its strong commitment to marine environmental protection and sustainability at the 13th Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum (EAMF) on 11 September 2025, underscoring the importance of upholding international law in addressing pressing maritime and environmental challenges.

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Maritime and Ocean Affairs Marshall Louis Alferez, who led the Philippine delegation, highlighted the Philippines' proactive initiatives to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, reduce plastic pollution, strengthen laws and ocean-focused institutional mechanisms, and enhance ocean literacy at the grassroots level. He reaffirmed the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as the legal framework governing all ocean activities, and emphasized the importance of complying with the final and binding 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award and respecting the 2024 ITLOS Advisory Opinion on Case No 31. He also highlighted the Philippines' support for the entry into force and effective implementation of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, which would apply to the pockets of high seas in the South China Sea.

Moreover, Assistant Secretary Alferez strongly rejected China's unilateral declaration of a so-called "Huangyan Island National Nature Reserve" in Bajo de Masinloc and reaffirmed the shoal as an integral part of Philippine territory over which the country exercises sovereignty and jurisdiction. He underscored the Philippines' exclusive authority to establish environmental protection areas over its territory and relevant maritime zones.

Assistant Secretary Alferez pointedly stressed that China's actions, taken in the guise of environmental conservation and protection efforts, blatantly disregard international law and further complicate the situation at sea. He also made clear that China's actions undermine the traditional fishing rights of Filipino fisherfolk in Bajo de Masinloc, which was already affirmed by the 2016 Arbitral Award.

Finally, Assistant Secretary Alferez called on all ASEAN Member States and Dialogue Partners to strengthen marine environmental cooperation grounded in adherence to international law, multilateralism, ASEAN Centrality, and inclusivity.

The Philippines commits to working with ASEAN and external partners in advancing marine conservation and sustainability, guided by science-based policymaking and shared goals under SDG 14 and the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.

As an expansion of the ASEAN Maritime Forum, the EAMF brings together government officials, scholars, and experts from ASEAN Member States, Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia, US, Türkiye and the UK to advance peace, stability, and sustainable development in the region's maritime domain. END