President Aquino said Friday Filipino fishermen were no longer barred
from the disputed Panatag Shoal, where Philippine and Chinese vessels
are locked in a 23-day standoff.
“Our fishermen have not been prevented from going back, except for
during the initial stage…They’re going there,” he said in an interview
with Malacañang reporters a day after the Chinese reportedly increased
their presence in the area well within the Philippines’
200-nautical-mile (370.4-km) exclusive economic zone.
The President said the government was gathering evidence of Chinese
intrusion in Panatag, known internationally as Scarborough Shoal, for a
planned case against Beijing before an international tribunal.
Mr. Aquino said Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario during his trip
to the United States this week spoke with experts on how the Philippines
can bring the dispute to a tribunal despite the usual requirement for
the other side to agree to mediation. China wants bilateral talks to
resolve the issue.
“There are certain modes…wherein even only one side can present (a case),” the President said.
“We are documenting everything that’s been happening. When we get to
the proper fora, then we will present all of this,” he added.
The standoff started on April 10, when two Chinese surveillance ships
stopped the Philippine Navy from inspecting Chinese fishing boats
carrying poached marine life.
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Norman Bordadora | Philippine Daily Inquirer | May 5, 2012 | Article Link
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