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PH will not allow China to arrest Filipinos in WPS —official
National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya dismissed China's announcement of arresting and detaining trespassers in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) as a mere "scare tactic" and urged Filipinos to continue their activities there.
Philippine Navy spokesperson Commodore Roy Trinidad stated that the Philippine government will not allow China to arrest Filipinos in the WPS, calling it "unacceptable" and contrary to international law.
Trinidad echoed Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo's statement that China's directive is not consistent with international law.
China's coast guard has reportedly been empowered to detain foreigners trespassing in the South China Sea for up to 60 days without trial, with a new regulation set to take effect in June.
Malaya had previously suggested that officially raising the issue with the Chinese government could imply an acknowledgment of their claimed authority and called on nations to continue navigating the high seas.
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The Philippines, through Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, declared it does not recognize China's new maritime rule allowing its coast guard to detain foreigners in disputed waters.
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House Speaker Martin Romualdez stated that the House of Representatives will not tolerate the arrest of Filipinos within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) by Chinese authorities.
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China's Coast Guard will be empowered to detain foreigners suspected of "illegally crossing" its borders in the South China Sea for up to 60 days without trial, starting June 15.
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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared China's new order allowing the detention of foreign nationals in the South China Sea as "completely unacceptable" to the Philippines.
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The Philippines expressed serious concern over new regulations by the China Coast Guard, asserting they directly violate international law and cannot be enforced in the high seas.
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