Locsin unaware of permission for China survey ship in Philippine EEZ

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. does not know of any permission for Chinese survey vessel in the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

In a tweet posted on Friday morning, Locsin said he only knew there were  permissions for a US survey ship, and a French vessel.

I know there was permission for a US survey ship, then a French one though I can't remember when that was from the undiminishing pile of sheets on my table. @DFAPHL ASPAC check on this. https://t.co/ZS3ZBVEWIH

— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) August 7, 2020

Locsin made the comment on a tweet indicating that a Chinese survey vessel is supposedly in the Reed Bank area. The ship reportedly left China on July 22, and arrived on August 6.

Likewise, the Indo-Pacific News' tweet commented: "There was no opposition, as usual, from the Philippine Coast Guard."

#Philippines - A #Chinese survey vessel is currently in the #Philippine EEZ, in the Reed Banks area

The vessel XIANG YANG HONG 14 had departed from #China on July 22, and arrived in the Reed Banks on August 6.

No opposition from the PH coast guard so far, as usual.... https://t.co/O2SAcEVB2S

— Indo-Pacific News (@IndoPac_Info) August 6, 2020

          Locsin and US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo held talks           on Thursday over the South China issue as both countries reaffirm their "strong" alliance amid China's increased military presence in the disputed waters.

Pompeo, in a readout of his call to Locsin on Thursday, Aug. 6 (Friday, Aug. 7 in Manila), discussed "the recent change in US policy on maritime claims in the South China Sea and US support for Southeast Asian coastal states upholding their sovereign rights and interests consistent with international law."

He also talked about "opportunities for further US-Philippine maritime cooperation" even as President Rodrigo Duterte barred the country's participation in any maritime drills in the South China Sea - a move lauded by Beijing.

While Washington is not a party to the disputes, it has declared that it is in its national interest to ensure freedom of navigation and overflight in the contested waters where the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan, and China have overlapping claims.

China has kept its supposed historical claim over nearly the entire South China Sea, and has expanded its presence in the waters, turning several former reefs into artificial islands with military facilities, runways and surface to air missiles.

Duterte, during his 5th State of the Nation Address, said he was inutile and cannot risk waging war over the South China Sea dispute, stressing China was "in possession of the property." —LBG, GMA News