Palace ‘concerned’ about presence of Chinese warship near Scarborough Shoal

Malacañang on Tuesday expressed its concern over the presence of a Chinese warship near Scarborough Shoal as reported by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

The PCG said they spotted two China Coast Guard ships, two militia boats and one naval ship during their four-day patrol of the shoal,  a traditional fishing ground that is controlled by China but is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

“We are always concerned on any intrusion to our sovereignty,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said, adding the Palace will let the Department of Foreign Affairs make the necessary response.

Last Saturday, President Rodrigo Duterte said he asked China’s President Xi Jinping to allow Filipinos to fish in the disputed waters.

Duterte also said he questioned the swarming of Chinese vessels around Pag-asa Island and that he would prohibit American troops from setting foot on the area.

While he did not specify when his last meeting with Xi was held, it can be recalled that Duterte went to Beijing in April for the Belt and Road Forum and to meet the Chinese leader.

Duterte earlier indicated that a third party should talk to both the Philippines and China as regards their overlapping claims in the resource-rich South China Sea.

Other claimants include Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam and Taiwan. — Virgil Lopez/RSJ, GMA News