Alejano reveals bow number of Chinese ship that planted flag off Kota Island

Magdalo party-list Representative Gary Alejano on Wednesday revealed the bow number of the Chinese fishing vessel that allegedly planted a Chinese flag seven nautical miles off Kota Island in the West Philippine Sea.

“I received another information that it was a Chinese fishing vessel with Bow Number 23168 that planted the said flag," Alejano said in a statement.

The lawmaker said his source is the same person who informed him about the presence of Chinese vessels near Pag-asa Island.

Alejano's newest revelation came more than two weeks after he first reported about the planting of Chinese flag near Kota Island.

Malacañang, however, has clarified that there is no such flag planted in the Philippine-controlled Island.

“I inquired about that and apparently, as of this stage, there is no flag, you know, as of this stage. And but it seems that the place, in itself, is subject to many passers-through and in fact, there are evidences of people who do park there,” presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a briefing on August 24.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, for his part, said there is no need to be alarmed about the situation in the West Philippine Sea.

“Let me assure na despite the lack of details that we give you, we will tell you if there is an alarming situation, or if the public is in danger, or if we are going take or step up certain actions that needs the public's support or knowledge,” he said.

But for Alejano, there were more incidents that concern the interest of the country, but they have not been publicized because the Philippine government officials opted to keep them.

Still, the lawmaker clarified that he is not against China.

“I support talking with China only that it should not be at the expense of our interest in the West Philippine Sea,” he said.

“I do not demand that our government divulge details of the talks with China or specifics of the incidents in the West Philippine Sea. What the Filipino people want is the assurance from the Duterte administration, supported by concrete actions, that our interests in West Philippine Sea are not put aside in our engagement with China,” he added.

Alejano said the lack of a strategy in dealing with the issues at the West Philippine Sea has disadvantaged the public.

“Concerned stakeholders especially the fishermen are left in the dark as to the real intention and direction of this administration when it comes to our stake in West Philippine Sea because of the absence of a strategy,” he said. — RSJ, GMA News