PCG Spokesperson Tarriela Fires Back at China Over 'Bogus' Scarborough Shoal Letter

Philippine Coast Guard Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela is calling out China's latest attempt to justify its claim over Scarborough Shoal — and he's not mincing words. In a post on X this Sunday, Tarriela said Beijing's use of a supposed 1990 letter from a Filipino diplomat is "misleading at best and a deliberate distortion at worst."

The letter in question was allegedly written by former Philippine Ambassador Bienvenido A. Tan Jr. to a German radio hobbyist. China has been circulating the document as supposed proof that the Philippines once conceded sovereignty over the disputed shoal, known locally as Bajo de Masinloc.

But Tarriela was quick to shut that narrative down. He pointed out that the letter merely acknowledged that the shoal lies outside the colonial boundaries defined by the Treaty of Paris of 1898 — but it also affirmed that Scarborough falls well within the Philippines' 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone. Hindi po surrender yun, clarification lang.

Citing retired Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio, Tarriela stressed that under international law, an ambassador doesn't have the authority to waive or abandon territorial claims. Only statements from a head of state or foreign minister can bind a nation on sovereignty issues. The 1990 letter? Just "casual correspondence to a private individual," he said.

Tarriela also invoked the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling, which affirmed that China's sweeping historic claims in the South China Sea have no legal basis under UNCLOS. "The fact remains: China has not once exercised sovereignty over Bajo de Masinloc. The PRC claim is bogus," he declared.

Source: GMA News