AFP Western Command chief cries foul over China's threat to board foreign ships in disputed waters

From InterAksyon (Nov 29): AFP Western Command chief cries foul over China's threat to board foreign ships in disputed waters

"That is too much." This was the statement of Lt. Gen. Juancho Sabban, chief of the Western Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, as he cried foul over China's announcement that it had granted its border patrol police the right to board and expel foreign ships entering disputed territories in South China Sea. “Sobra na ‘yon. While we are exerting all peaceful means, ‘yon naman ang gagawin nila [That is too much. While we are exerting all peaceful means, that is what they're going to do]," Sabban told reporters on Thursday.

China's move came after Beijing issued new passports that contained a map showing its claim to practically the whole of South China Sea, portions of which are also being claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Brunei. China has practically claimed the whole oil-rich series of small islands and reefs where the municipality of Kalayaan Islands Group (KIG) in Palawan is situated. The KIG, which is under the political leadership of Mayor Eugenio Bito-onon, is composed of seven islets and two reefs. The center of government is on Pagasa Island where less than 400 Filipinos, some of them military personnel, live.

Sabban said he would not allow Chinese authorities to board Filipinos ships that pass through the disputed territories in the West Philippine Sea.  “Hindi puwede ‘yon, hindi puwede ‘yon (boarding) [It is prohibited]. It’s a violation of international passage,” he said. The general said the military had beefed up the deployment of naval vessels and air assets security and sovereignty patrols in the West Philippine Sea. “May regular patrols naman tayo [We have regular patrols]. The Navy is always there and also our Coast Guard,” Sabban said.

China’s bullying time and again against its small neighbors over the disputed territories has caught the attention of the United States. This year alone, the Philippines has turned into a virtual docking area of naval and air assets of the US Pacific Command (USPaCom) for “goodwill visits” and port call replenishment of supplies and rest and recreation of personnel. The Philippines' defense and military departments have also drawn plans for more frequent joint military exercises not only with the US but also with other countries such as Australia.

China has continued to violate its own promise to pull its ships out of Panatag Shoal, an area located within Masinloc, Zambales, this after Manila pulled out its ships to ease down the tension. Six months after the June 4 talks between China and the Philippines to withdraw from the area, at least three Chinese ships have maintained their presence in Panatag, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs. The Panatag Shoal issue broke out after the BRP Gregorio del Pilar apprehended Chinese poachers in the area last March but the patrol ship was blocked by a government ship of China that led to a standoff.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/49251/afp-western-command-chief-cries-foul-over-chinas-threat-to-board-foreign-ships-in-disputed-waters