Manila, Aug. 9 -- The Department of National Defense (DND) rejected anew China's call for the Philippines to abandon its position on Bajo de Masinloc.

The DND issued the statement Saturday after Chinese Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Chen Xi accused the Philippines of carrying out "illegitimate acts" that supposedly violate China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights in the South China Sea.

Chen criticized the Philippines' recent submission of an updated nautical chart covering Bajo de Masinloc to the United Nations (UN), where the shoal is also known as Scarborough Shoal. China calls the feature Huangyan Dao.

The DND said Bajo de Masinloc is an "integral and longstanding part" of Philippine national territory.

It ...