Philippines rejects China's claims over Panganiban and Zamora reefs

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has rejected China’s claims of sovereignty over Panganiban (Mischief) Reef and Zamora (Subi) Reef. The DFA stated that Beijing’s island-building activities cannot alter the legal status of these features, which are classified as low-tide elevations under international law.

According to the DFA, Panganiban Reef lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, while Zamora Reef is located within the territorial sea of Pag-asa (Thitu) Island. The department emphasized that as low-tide elevations, these features cannot be subject to sovereignty claims or appropriation under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 arbitral award.

The diplomatic response follows reports from the Philippine Coast Guard that Chinese forces fired flares at a Philippine aircraft conducting routine surveillance flights near the reefs. The DFA noted that China's construction of artificial islands on these features violates both UNCLOS and the Philippine Maritime Zones Act.