THE Philippines on Friday expressed strong objection to the move by China to send its ships to patrol in the disputed territory in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

The Department of Foreign Affairs also reiterated its calls for China to respect the Philippines’ maritime domains in the West Philippine Sea.

“The Philippines again calls on China to respect our territorial sovereignty and exclusive economic zone. The Philippines strongly objects to the Chinese patrol of Philippine maritime domain in the West Philippine Sea,” Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez said.

The Foreign Affairs department issued the statement after reports that China sent its first patrol vessel equipped with a helipad to monitor maritime activities in the disputed territory.

“Such patrol will not validate the nine-dash lines [claim of China] and is contrary to China’s obligation under international law including Unclos [United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea],” Hernandez said.

China’s Xinhua news agency reported that the patrol ship Haixun 21 sailed into the high seas under the administration of the Maritime Safety Administration of Hainan province.

Huang He, China’s Maritime Bureau of the Ministry Transport deputy head said that the patrol vessel would “monitor maritime traffic safety, investigate maritime accidents, detect pollution, carry out search and rescue work and fulfill international conventions.”

Apart from China and the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam also claim parts of the West Philippine Sea.