THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has reiterated that the Philippines is under 'no obligation' to seek approval from any country to navigate its own territorial sea, including the area around Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal.

In a statement on Thursday, the DFA debunked the claim of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) that the Philippine Navy ship BRP Conrado Yap sailed illegally into the waters near Bajo de Masinloc last October 30, and the claim only serves 'to raise tensions in the West Philippine Sea.' Beijing has long asserted that the shoal lies within its territorial waters.