Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque: Philippines never in possession of Julian Felipe Reef

Philippines’ Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Tuesday said the Philippines was "never in possession" of Julian Felipe Reef.
Rosemary Nguyen
May 12, 2021 | 14:58
DHL Delivers First Batch of Pfizer Covid-19 Vaccines and Diluents to the Philippines DHL Delivers First Batch of Pfizer Covid-19 Vaccines and Diluents to the Philippines
China calls for 'basic etiquette' after Philippine outburst China calls for 'basic etiquette' after Philippine outburst
Philippines coast guard holds drills in Bien Dong Sea Philippines coast guard holds drills in Bien Dong Sea
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque: Philippines never in possession of Julian Felipe Reef
Philippines’ Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque. Photo The Rappler

According to the spokesperson, the reef is not within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines.

“That's not within our EEZ, that Julian Felipe. It's outside, it's that far,” Harry Roque said.

It belongs to Vietnam's Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago but claimed by both China and the Philippines.

Roque’s statement is contrary to the strongly-worded statements against China issued earlier by Delfin Lorenzana, Defense Secretary and the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque: Philippines never in possession of Julian Felipe Reef
An overview of fishing vessels spotted in the Julian Felipe Reef on March 23. The Philippine Coast Guard spotted about 220 Chinese fishing vessels in the area sometimes. Satellite images: Maxar Technologies via Reuters

International concern grew in March over what the Philippines described as a “swarming and threatening presence” of more than 200 Chinese vessels that it believes were manned by maritime militia.

The boats were moored at the Julian Felipe Reef within Manila’s 200-mile exclusive economic zone.

The Philippines repeatedly sent notes protesting this action and asked China to withdraw the ship from the area./.

In March 2021, Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Thi Thu Hang said the presence of nearly 200 Chinese militia and fishing vessels in the reef, where it has overlapping claims with the Philippines, is a “serious violation of its sovereignty.”

“It must be reiterated that Vietnam has sufficient legal basis and historical evidence to assert its sovereignty over the Spratly Islands in line with international law,” Hang said.

She further said China’s activities in the reef violates the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC).

Like the Philippines, Vietnam said it also “fully enjoys sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction over these waters as identified under the UNCLOS.”
Vietnam hopes US will support ASEAN in Bien Dong Sea issues Vietnam hopes US will support ASEAN in Bien Dong Sea issues

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung voiced a hope that the US will continue to play a constructive role and back ASEAN’s ...
International community criticizes China's movements on Bien Dong Sea International community criticizes China's movements on Bien Dong Sea

The international community has raised voices against China's recent movements on the South China Sea, including the continued operation of ships to Whitson Reef in ...
Philippines raises tough voice on China's movement on Bien Dong Sea Philippines raises tough voice on China's movement on Bien Dong Sea

Unlike previous years, the Philippine leaders have recently made tough statements aimed at China's movement on the Bien Dong Sea.
Rosemary Nguyen
Chia sẻ
 Email
Tags:
Julian Felipe Reef Philippines Philipines - China standoff Vietnam sea and the islands President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte Harry Roque

Related Stories

Sharing from Viet Nam Friendship

Sharing from Viet Nam

From humanitarian support and disaster relief to United Nations peacekeeping operations, the people of Viet Nam have created positive, effective, and sincere images in the eyes of international friends as well as in global missions.
November 18, 2025 | 13:53
Viet Nam in the Hearts of Friends Friendship

Viet Nam in the Hearts of Friends

Viet Nam today represents the harmony of traditional values and modern qualities - that is the shared impression of international friends when they visit our country.
November 11, 2025 | 12:15

Recommended

Ministry of Science and Technology Reviews Tech Infrastructure to Combat IUU Fishing in Ho Chi Minh City Seas and islands

Ministry of Science and Technology Reviews Tech Infrastructure to Combat IUU Fishing in Ho Chi Minh City

On February 4, a delegation from the Ministry of Science and Technology conducted a working visit to Cat Lo Fishing Port (Phuoc Thang Ward, Ho Chi Minh City) to review vessel monitoring systems (VMS), assess connectivity challenges, and evaluate the level of digital data interoperability in fisheries management, with a view to strengthening efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
February 07, 2026 | 16:16
Quang Tri Advances Sustainable Fisheries Through Fishing Vessel Conversion Plan Seas and islands

Quang Tri Advances Sustainable Fisheries Through Fishing Vessel Conversion Plan

The People’s Committee of Quang Tri Province has recently issued a Plan to implement the Project titled “Conversion of Certain Fishing Practices that Adversely Affect Resources and the Ecological Environment” in the province for the 2026-2030 period, with a vision to 2045. The plan aims to gradually restructure the fishing fleet toward sustainability and environmental friendliness.
February 04, 2026 | 15:30
Fishing Vessel Sinks by Waves at La Gi Port; All 15 Crew Members Rescued Safely Seas and islands

Fishing Vessel Sinks by Waves at La Gi Port; All 15 Crew Members Rescued Safely

In the early hours of February 3, a fishing vessel en route to the La Gi port entrance (Phuoc Hoi Ward, Lam Dong Province) was struck by large waves and sank. All 15 crew members on board were promptly rescued by nearby vessels, ensuring their safety.
February 04, 2026 | 14:34
Nearly 500 Da Nang Fishing Vessels Sign Pledge Against IUU Fishing Seas and islands

Nearly 500 Da Nang Fishing Vessels Sign Pledge Against IUU Fishing

Nearly 500 vessel owners and captains in Da Nang have signed a pledge not to engage in illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, affirming their determination to work with border guard forces to strictly comply with fisheries regulations and protect maritime sovereignty.
February 04, 2026 | 08:20

Popular articles

Navy Delegation Visits, Encourages and Gives Tet gifts in Truong Sa Special Zone Seas and islands

Navy Delegation Visits, Encourages and Gives Tet gifts in Truong Sa Special Zone

A working delegation of Naval Group 129, led by Senior Lieutenant Colonel Le Xuan Tam, Deputy Political Commissar of the Group, concluded a visit to encourage, extend Tet greetings and present gifts to military personnel and civilians on Sinh Ton Island, Truong Sa Island, Nui Le and Toc Tan Island in the Truong Sa special zone, Khanh Hoa province, on February 1.
February 04, 2026 | 08:19
Prime Minister Calls for Determined Efforts to Lift IUU “Yellow Card” by April 2026 Seas and islands

Prime Minister Calls for Determined Efforts to Lift IUU “Yellow Card” by April 2026

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has requested the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, along with ministries, sectors and localities, to focus on accelerating production, firmly ensuring national food security, and resolutely lifting the European Commission’s (EC) IUU “yellow card” by April 2026.
January 28, 2026 | 16:05
EU Acknowledges Vietnam’s Efforts to Remove IUU “Yellow Card,” Expects EC On-Site Inspection Soon Seas and islands

EU Acknowledges Vietnam’s Efforts to Remove IUU “Yellow Card,” Expects EC On-Site Inspection Soon

The Ambassador of the European Union to Vietnam has highly appreciated Vietnam’s political determination and the notable progress it has made in implementing the European Commission’s (EC) recommendations on combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, while expressing expectations that the EC will soon conduct an on-site inspection in Vietnam in the coming period.
January 28, 2026 | 15:55
Can Tho Supports VMS Fees for 202 Fishing Vessels to Improve Management Seas and islands

Can Tho Supports VMS Fees for 202 Fishing Vessels to Improve Management

Can Tho will provide nearly VND 560 million in subscription fees for vessel monitoring system (VMS) devices for 202 fishing vessels in 2025. The information was announced at a conference on information dissemination and communication about regulations on combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, organized by the city’s Department of Agriculture and Environment on January 21 in Tran De commune.
January 28, 2026 | 10:39
Read more