MANILA, Philippines - The
Philippine Navy is waiting for President Benigno Simeon Aquino III to
order them to go back to the Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal) following
confirmation that Chinese vessels have yet to pull out from the
disputed territory despite an agreement to do so.
"The Navy is willing and able to undertake whatever instructions
given to us," Navy chief Vice Admiral Alexander Pama said in a
television interview.
However, Pama said the Palace has yet to give the Philippine Navy its
go-signal to return to the shoal. He also said the government is opting
to send non-military ships to the shoal, which is called Bajo de
Masinloc by Zambales residents.
The tension between the Philippines and China began in April when a
Philippine Navy ship boarded eight Chinese vessels, which were
allegedly caught poaching giant clams, baby sharks and coral reefs.
However, a large Chinese vessel blocked the arrest and detention of the Chinese fishermen.
On June 15, President Aquino ordered two ships from the Philippine
Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to pull
out from the shoal due to bad weather.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) had said that the Philippines
and China had an agreement to pull out ships from the lagoon of Panatag
Shoal. It clarified that both countries can deploy ships outside the
lagoon.
On Monday, DFA Secretary Albert del Rosario announced that Chinese boats have been pulled out from the lagoon.
Pama, however, reported on Tuesday that six fishing boats and 17
dinghies were spotted by the Philippine Navy inside the lagoon during an
aerial inspection on Monday. He added that three Chinese maritime
surveillance ships and two Chinese fishery and law enforcement command
(FLEC) ships were outside the lagoon.
Pama clarified that Del Rosario could have been quoting a previous report.
President Aquino had said that he may order the return of Philippine
ships to the shoal if the Chinese will continue its presence in the
lagoon.
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The Philippine Star | June 27, 2012 | Article Link
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