Manila: The Department of National Defense (DND) on Wednesday rejected China's latest statement opposing Philippine infrastructure and development activities on Pag-asa and Lawak Islands in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). In a message to reporters, DND spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong maintained that Pag-asa Island and Lawak Island are part of the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) in Palawan.

According to Philippines News Agency, Andolong stated that the legitimate exercise of Philippine authority in these areas, including the conduct of improvement and development activities, is intended to support the welfare, safety, and livelihood of Filipinos residing and working therein. He also reiterated that China's claim of "indisputable sovereignty" over nearly the entire South China Sea, including areas within the WPS, as reflected in its so-called "nine-dash line," has no legal basis under international law.

The 2016 Arbitral Award, rendered under the framework of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) - to which both the Philippines and China are States Parties - found no legal basis for China's claims to historic rights within the nine-dash line. Andolong emphasized that the Award remains final and legally binding on the parties.

The international tribunal has found China's large-scale land reclamation and construction activities in the South China Sea caused severe environmental damage, and that certain Chinese actions unlawfully interfered with the Philippines' sovereign rights within its exclusive economic zone. China's Ministry of Defense earlier claimed indisputable sovereignty over Pag-asa, Lawak Island, and other Philippine-held features in the WPS. It also said it firmly opposes Philippine construction activities "on all illegally occupied Chinese islands and reefs."