PHL should thank China for rescue center on disputed reef —Panelo

The Philippines should be grateful to China if proven that Beijing opened a maritime rescue center in Kagitingan or Fiery Cross Reef, one of the features claimed by Manila in the disputed South China Sea, Malacañang said Thursday.

Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua reported on Tuesday that China's Ministry of Transport established the center to "better protect navigation and transport safety" in the resource-rich South China Sea.

"Maybe we should be thankful," presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said at a news conference, adding he shared the of opinion of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana that the center could help seamen in distress in that area.

"Personally, I don’t think establishing a distress center is bad because it will be helping everybody in distress," he said.

Panelo said the establishment of the maritime center would not affect the Philippines' claims to the Chinese-controlled reef.

"I don't think so. It will not," the Palace official said, even as he deferred to Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. to handle the matter.

"Kung alam natin na wala namang makakasira doon sa claim natin at tutulong sila sa lahat ng mga nangangailangan ng tulong. Eh dapat nagpapasalamat tayo," Panelo said.

Panelo added the government "will always protest on anything that intrudes" into the country's sovereignty.

According to a report on "State of the Nation with Jessica Soho" on Wednesday, the facility was reportedly built to support rescue operations within the disputed territory in the West Philippine Sea.

The report also said a Chinese vessel had been sent to Zamora or Subi Reef to conduct "emergency response operations" in July.

Another ship, which was "staffed with eight to 10 rescuers with diving equipment," had reportedly been deployed to the area in October.

Critics have slammed President Rodrigo Duterte's insistence not to antagonize China even after Beijing's reported deployment of military aircraft, establishment of weather observation stations and installation of anti-ship cruise missiles and surface-to-air missile systems on Manila-claimed reefs.

Instead, Duterte blamed the United States and his predecessor, Benigno Aquino III, for not confronting China's excessive claims and buildup of military facilities on the artificial islands in the South China Sea.

Relations between China and the Philippines have improved considerably under Duterte who temporarily set aside the arbitral ruling in 2016 that invalidated Beijing's excessive claims in order to forge stronger trade and economic ties with the Asian powerhouse. —LDF, GMA News