Manila: National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo A±o on Thursday described as "patently illegal" China's plan to create a nature reserve at Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea. "It is patently illegal as it violates UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea), the final and binding 2016 Arbitral Award, and the 2022 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties," A±o said in a statement.

According to Philippines News Agency, A±o added that China's plan is not meant to protect the environment but rather to justify Beijing's control over Bajo de Masinloc, a maritime feature that is part of Philippine territory and lies within the country's exclusive economic zone. "It is a clear pretext towards eventual occupation," A±o, who is also National Security Council (NSC) director general, stated.

"The irony is clear: since 2016, evidence has shown large-scale harvesting of endangered species and reef destruction by Chinese fishermen, activities even cited by the Arbitral Tribunal. To now claim stewardship over an ecosystem that they themselves damaged is both contradictory and misleading," he added.

The Philippine government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), has strongly protested China's plan, emphasizing that only Manila can establish a marine protected area in Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal. In a statement Thursday, the DFA announced its intention to issue a formal diplomatic protest against China's plan-a move that A±o said has the full support of the NSC.

"The NSC fully supports the filing by the Department of Foreign Affairs of a formal diplomatic protest against this illegal and illegitimate act by the PRC (People's Republic of China)," A±o said.

The Chinese government announced on Wednesday its State Council's "approval" of the Chinese Ministry of Natural Resources' request to establish the reserve in Bajo de Masinloc, which it plans to call the Huangyan Dao National Nature Reserve.