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Report on presence of Chinese ships near Ayungin, Panatag shoals needs confirmation —Palace
Malacañang on Monday refused to make judgment for now on the report that Chinese government ships have been purposely making their near-constant presence at Ayungin and Panatag Shoals in the West Philippine Sea felt.
“If that is validated then we will file the usual diplomatic protest,” Panelo said at a news conference.
In a September 26 report, AMTI said the presence of the China Coast Guard vessels at the Luconia, Second Thomas Shoal (Ayungin), and Scarborough (Panatag) Shoals highlighted how their access to newly-built port facilities on artificial islands in the Spratlys allowed then to sustain such deployments.
AMTI had identified 14 CCG vessels broadcasting automatic identification system (AIS) signals while patrolling the West Philippine Sea features over the last year.
CCG ships did not usually open their automatic identification systems (AIS) during patrols, but they frequently broadcast their presence in these areas.
The Philippines had repeatedly protested the incursion of Chinese ships in its territorial waters and exclusive economic zone.
China does not recognize the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling that invalidated Beijing's historical claims to nearly the entire South China Sea, a part of which Manila refers to as the West Philippine Sea, following a lawsuit filed by the Philippines.
President Rodrigo Duterte told his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping during their bilateral meeting in Beijing on August 29 that the arbitral award was “final, binding and not subject to appeal.”
Xi rejected Duterte’s position even as both leaders agreed that a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea should be formulated and to continue to dialogue peacefully in resolving the conflict.
The two countries also agreed to exercise self-restraint and respect for freedom of navigation and overflight in the disputed waters.
“The President still trusts them,” Panelo said. —KBK, GMA News
