[2nd UPDATE] MANILA, Philippines – 7 Chinese fishing vessels and 1
Marine survey ship have left Panatag Shoal, Lt Gen Anthony Alcantara,
commanding general of the Northern Luzon Command has confirmed.
This eases considerably brewing tension in the disputed Panatag Shoal
(Scarborough) in the West Philippine Sea where a standoff had resulted
between the Philippines and China.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) also corroborated on
Saturday, April 14, information about the departure of the 8 Chinese
vessels.
The Philippines, however, is still
mulling its next moves after this development, DFA spokesperson Raul
Hernandez said in a phone interview with Rappler.
“We are still talking with (China),”
added Hernandez, referring to the ongoing negotiations between the
Philippines and China over the disputed territory.
How it started
Earlier this week, the Philippine Navy boarded the Chinese fishing vessels and found endangered species that had been illegally obtained. These included corals and giant clams, reports said.
The vessels were caught fishing illegally in the West Philippine Sea.
But 2 Chinese maritime surveillance vessels, according to a Navy
report, positioned themselves between the Chinese fishing vessels and
the Navy’s flagship BRP Gregorio del Pilar.
The Philippine Navy was told they were on Chinese territory, but the
Philippines maintained the vessels were within the country's
200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.
China insisted they were on Chinese territory
and sent 3 civilian maritime surveillance ships to prevent the
Philippine Navy’s largest vessel from arresting the Chinese fishermen.
Diplomatic talks followed, resulting in the Philippines withdrawing its warship on Thursday,
April 12, replacing it with a coastguard search-and-rescue vessel. This
was seen as an effort to lower tensions by taking away the immediate
threat of military force.
China claims all of the South China Sea as its own, even waters up to
the coasts of other countries. Aside from the Philippines and China,
Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei also claim all or parts of the
waters as their own.
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Paterno Esmaquel II | Agence France Presse/Rappler.com | April 14, 2012 | Article Link
