China trying to establish foothold in Ayungin — security official

From the Daily Tribune (Jun 5): China trying to establish foothold in Ayungin — security official

Just like what it did in Mischief Reef when it “illegally” occupied the Philippine territory in 1995, the Chinese government is bent on doing the same in Ayungin Shoal as indicated by the continued presence of its vessels in the area and recent pro-nouncement by Beijing.

A security official, who requested anonymity, yesterday noted recent pronouncements made by Lt. Gen. Qi Jianguo, deputy chief of the general staff of the People’s Liberation Army, justifying Chinese presence in Ayungin Shoal where the Philippine Navy is maintaining troops and using grounded BRP Sierra Madre as barracks.

At press time, there were three Chinese maritime surveillance ships monitored along the vicinities of Ayungin Shoal which is located approximately 120 nautical miles from Rizal town, Palawan province.

“They (Chinese) intend to pursue these activities which the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) says are illegal and provocative…there are indicators,
the way it looks it will continue and it will be the line of China,” the security official added.

Asked what is China’s objective in maintaining its presence in Ayungin Shoal, the source replied: “To establish foothold, the way they did in Mischief Reef… it can be gleaned from their action in protesting against and demanding the removal of our Navy vessel.”

The official was referring to the grounded BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal which presence in the area is now being protested by China. The Navy ship has been grounded there since 1999.

The official went on to describe China as “recalcitrant.”

In 1995, China occupied Mischief Reef, located about 130 nautical miles from Palawan, initially by putting structures supposedly as shelters for fishermen.

Eventually, China established military garrison in the area, prompting protest from the Philippines.

Only last year, the Chinese engaged Philippine authorities in a two-month long standoff in Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal in Zambales. Allegedly, both parties agreed to a pullout but the Chinese have not left the area until now.

Last month, a Chinese flotilla, escorted by a frigate, was monitored in Ayungin Shoal and has stayed in the area up to now.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin has stressed the Philippines will not pull out from Ayungin Shoal and that the military is ready to fight for “what is ours” until the last soldier standing.

During his speech at the Shangri-La Dialog in Singapore last June 2, Qi justified Chinese patrols over South China Sea, which the Philippines calls West Philippine Sea, and East China Sea, where there are ongoing disputes.

The Chinese military general said Beijing will continue with its patrols over East China Sea and South China Sea which he stressed as “totally legitimate and uncontroversial.”

The West Philippine Sea, including the Kalayaan Islands Group (KIGs) or the Spratlys and the Panatag (Scarboroug) Shoal, is being disputed by the Philippines, China, Taiwan, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam.

Over at the East China Sea, China is disputing territories with Japan.

Relatedly, Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos said Manila and Beijing should mutually agree to step back and cool the situation arising from conflicting territorial claims over South China Sea.

“I propose that instead of making that conflict the main feature of our relationship, let us make it a minor part and pursue further contacts, exchanges and cooperation in other sectors,” Marcos, in a statement, added.

The lawmaker aired the proposal in his speech during the June 3-4 “China-Southeast Asia People’s High-Level Dialogue” in the city of Nanning in Guangxi, China.

Marcos said the two countries could further strengthen their relationship in the areas of trade, tourism, linkages between educational institutions, health and social protection issues, agricultural cooperation and mutual assistance when natural disasters occur.

He added tourism holds a great promise for cooperation between the two countries as it would promote individual and social contact and lessen tensions “as we put a face to each other at a more human level.”

“What has long sustained our relations thus far has generally been in the area of cultural and arts exchanges.  This plays no small part in deepening the understanding between our two peoples.  It is an area rich with possibilities and something we can expand immediately and surely will bring us closer to each other,” Marcos said.

Noting that problems related to the conflicting territorial claims have become of immediate concern recently, with incidents of standoffs and heated exchanges, Marcos said the two countries “must find a way to at least resolve the situation.”

Aside from a mutual agreement to cool the situation, the senator said both countries “must agree on a framework method that is agreeable to both our countries to move the discussions forward to arrive at a true and permanent resolution of the problem.”

“This is with the quite reasonable understanding that it is the duty of the Philippine leadership to explore, discuss and pursue any other possible avenues that are available that have the potential to normalize the situation,” he stressed.
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