Manila, March 19 -- The Department of National Defense (DND) on Thursday rejected China's claim that legitimate Philippine maritime operations near Bajo de Masinloc (also known as Scarborough Shoal) are a "self-directed farce."

The agency maintained that Philippine operations in these waters are lawful, routine and conducted in the exercise of the country's sovereign rights and jurisdiction under international law.

"The real farce is the act of calling for peaceful engagement, while the fully armed and heftily funded People's Liberation Army (Navy) is harassing our fisherfolk who are merely trying to make a living in their traditional fishing grounds," it said in a statement.

A Philippine Coast Guard air patrol over Bajo de Masinloc re...