Leave Shoal, PH Tells China

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has demanded anew that Chinese vessels immediately pull out from Panatag (Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough) Shoal and the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). It also asked China to refrain from taking further actions that exacerbate the situation in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) made the demand after receiving reports from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) that there is an increasing number and pattern of Chinese government vessels and fishing boats in the disputed area.
This developed as a key Taiwan official that China is reportedly planning to build two more aircraft carriers in a determined bid to further assert its military might in Asia, while the Philippines received from the United States a 378-foot Hamilton class weather high endurance cutter.
The cutter, which will be renamed BRP Ramon Alcaraz, was received by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Jessie Dellosa, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose L. Cuisia, and Philippine Navy Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Jose Luis Alano.
Based on reports received by the DFA, there were five Chinese government vessels (CMS-71, CMS-84, FLEC-301, FLEC-303, and FLEC-310), and 16 Chinese fishing boats, 10 of which were inside the lagoon while six were outside on May 21.
In addition, there were 56 utility boats, 27 of which were inside the lagoon and 29 were outside.
On Tuesday, there were still 16 Chinese fishing vessels and the number of utility boats went up to 76.
Hernandez said the Chinese vessels “are fishing and are collecting corals.”
Currently, he said there are no Philippine vessels in the area but the PCG and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) are continuously “monitoring and documenting what is being done by other side.”
“We have been doing that (demanding that Chinese vessels leave the area) since we found out they are in the area,” said Hernandez. “We will continue demanding.”
He pointed out that the Chinese side has issued the same reply several times that “they would like us (the Philippines) to leave the area.”
“It is regrettable that these actions occurred at a time when China has been articulating for a de-escalation of tensions and while the two sides have been discussing how to defuse the situation in the area,” said DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez in a news briefing at the DFA headquarters at noon Wednesday.-The Manila Bulletin (May 24, 2012)