PREMATURE REJOICING | Chinese Navy ship, fishing boats still in Ayungin

From InterAksyon (Jul 7): PREMATURE REJOICING | Chinese Navy ship, fishing boats still in Ayungin

Contrary to a newspaper report, a Navy ship of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China and several fishing boats never left Ayungin Reef a week ago, according to highly-placed military sources.

Referring to a national newspaper’s story the source, who requested anonymity, said, “No, that’s not true (story). The Chinese never left Ayungin. [They’re there] up to the present.”

As proof that the Chinese are still in the reef area which they claim entirely, and over which they recently issued a protest against supposed Philippine incursions, the source explained that “In the vicinity of Ayungin the PLA Navy ship with bow number 83, is still there, along with many fishing bancas.  The other PLA Navy ships go back every so often to Ayungin whenever they monitor new movements by the Philippine Navy.”

Ayungin is part of the municipality of the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) in Palawan located in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Mayor Eugenio Bito-onon of the KIG recently complained of overt instances of “harassment” by Chinese boats. He is based on Pagasa Island, the KIG’s center of political power, which also hosts over 400 civilians.

The Ayungin Reef area is strategic, because it is near where the Philippine military several years ago deliberately grounded a decrepit military vessel, the BRP Sierra Madre, as some sort of blockade against intruders. A Marine contingent lives in the unusual “garrison” on the ship. Two months ago, a fleet of Chinese military, maritime and fishing vessels entered the Ayungin area, mounting a direct challenge to the Marines’ presence.

There is fear that the Chinese will do to Ayungin what they did to Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal off Masinloc, Zambales, in April 2012.

Manila has raised its territorial dispute with the Asian giant before an arbitral court, but Beijing rejected the move and has expanded its presence in the West Philippine Sea.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/65799/premature-rejoicing--chinese-navy-ship-fishing-boats-still-in-ayungin